Spatial Impact Of Climate Change On Major Climatic Factors in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study focuses on the climate change impacts on major climate factors; rainfall, temperature and other factors (relative liumity, wind speed and solar radiation) contibutes to evapotranspiration and soli moisture deficits. Climate change datasets for Sri Lanka were derived from the outputs o f the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research mode! (HadCM3), UK for selected Intergovernmental Pane of Climate Change emission seenarios A2 and B2 for 205Os and compared with the baseline data o f 1961 -1990.Under the seenarios tested, there will bean inconsiderable increase in annual average rainfall with a significant increase in the South, west monsoon rainfall. But the north cast monsoon rains is predicted to decrease. Similarly the annual average temperature is predicted to increase. These changos will inerease evapotranspiration and the potential soil moisture deficit significantly in the dry zone areas, demanding additional irrigation water lo compensate the crop water requirement, In contrast there will more flood and landslides in Wet zone areas. Therefore in order to cope up with climate change impacts proper planning of adaptation measures is important.