Climate Change and Plantations in the Humid Tropics

Climate and weather conditions are crucial determinants of the success of plantation crops. Weather affects the yield of a crop, while climate determines the adaptability of the crop in a specific region. The impacts of global warming and climate change on plantation crops are evident in the form of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, heat waves, cold spells, and strong cyclonic winds, which are becoming increasingly frequent on a global scale. These events have been observed year after year in many parts of the world, including 1998, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2015. The frequency of these events is expected to rise further in the coming decades, posing a significant threat to the plantation economy. The effects of climate variability are already being felt in the form of declining monsoon rainfall, reduced number of rainy days, and rising ambient air temperatures (both day maximum and night minimum). Other issues related to climate change include declining groundwater tables, diminishing wetland areas and surface water resources, increased frequency of forest fires, and decreasing forest cover. In addition, there is an increase in landslides during both monsoon seasons, indiscriminate sand mining from riverbeds, and unscientific land filling. These issues are particularly significant in the Humid Tropics, where the impacts of climate change are being felt acutely.