Optimizing future crop yield projections using weighted MME approaches

We integrate state-of-the-art climate projections, crop modeling systems and economic assessment to develop a tool for studying and assessing agricultural production in the southeast United States. This integrated framework will enable us to assess the potential impact of future climate variability and trend on the production of economically-valuable crops in the southeast United States where weather/climate has major effects on agricultural yields. Downscaling systems suitable for application to dynamical crop models are evaluated, extended and/or developed. Optimally weighted multi-model ensemble (MME) approaches are used in order to improve the projection of future regional crop yield. This research might enhance the current knowledge of linking climate and process models, with an economic evaluation, as a demonstration of an approach that can be applied for other settings, problems, etc.