Future climate is likely to have a major impact on primary sectors and has the potential to drive major shifts in land use as previously suitable and viable climatic conditions change.

The dataset - What is it?

The data provides a look at the mid-century and late-century of the 2000’s under different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP). RCPs are different amounts of greenhouse gas concentrations, from a low of 2.6 to 8.5. The reporting focuses on predictions for Hawkes Bay, Waikato, and Southland. The land uses covered are pastoral farming, arable crops, and horticultural crops. Water management uses and related nitrogen leaching is also covered.

Why it's important

Although models have assumptions and limitations, they give foresight into climate change implications for primary industries.