Scribd
Upload
5 views8 pages

Assignment Solution

Assignment Solution

Uploaded by

jadonamite
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views8 pages

Assignment Solution

Assignment Solution

Uploaded by

jadonamite
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 8

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, AKURE

SCHOOL OF EARTH & MINERAL SCIENCES


DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY & CLIMATE SCIENCE

EXAMINATION: B. Tech. (Meteorology); 400 LEVEL

SUBJECT: MET 403 – Agricultural Meteorology


SEMESTER: 1st Semester 2024/2025
TIME ALLOWED: Take Home Assignment

Question 1a: Basic Aspects of Agricultural Meteorological Observations

Agricultural meteorological observations involve systematic recording


of weather and climatic variables relevant to agriculture. These include
temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind speed and
direction, soil moisture, and evapotranspiration. To ensure accuracy
and consistency observations are made using standard instruments and
procedures

i. Data as a support system for agrometeorological services.


ii. Physical climatic variables

iii. Biological variables

iv. Scale of observations

v. Extent of observations

vi. Data without metadata are unreliable

Agro-meteorological data helps in forecasting and managing


weather-related agricultural risks, planning irrigation schedules, and
improving crop yield forecasts.

Source: WMO No. 134, Chapter 1.4.6, pages 1–11 to 1–14

Question 1b: Importance of Agro-meteorology to Agricultural


Productivity (Using the Figure)

The diagram illustrates how various factors—such as pests, diseases,


weeds, water, climate, soil conditions, and nutrients—limit crop
productivity. Agro-meteorology helps mitigate these limitations by
providing data for
 Forecasting weather for timely farming operations
 Advising on irrigation and pest/disease control
 Optimizing input use
 soil moisture monitoring
 optimal crop-climate matching

For example, knowing the timing of rainfall helps determine


planting dates, while temperature monitoring helps in
understanding heat stress on crops.

Source: WMO No. 134, Chapter 2.1.3, pages 2–11 to 2–13

Question 1c: Derivation and Presentation of Agro-meteorological


Information

Agro-meteorological information is derived from basic weather and


climate data through statistical analysis, modeling, and interpretation.
Key tools include climate models, geographic information systems (GIS),
and remote sensing. Presentation formats include maps, bulletins,
advisories, and decision support systems aimed at farmers, extension
services, and policymakers.

Source: WMO No. 134, Chapter 3.2.1, pages 3–17 to 3–20

Question 2a: Climate and Weather Risk Management and Role of


Insurance

Risk management in agriculture involves identifying weather-related


risks and implementing strategies such as early warning systems,
climate-resilient crops, and insurance schemes. Insurance plays a crucial
role in stabilizing income by compensating for losses due to adverse
weather events like droughts or floods.

Source: WMO No. 134, Chapter 7, pages 7–43 to 7–58

Question 2b: Class A-Pan Calculations

Given:

0800Z = 97.4 mm

1800Z = 83.3 mm

Crop Factor = 0.9

Area = 10,000 m²

Density of water = 1000 kg/m³

Lv = 2.5 MJ/kg

i) Water evaporated: 97.4 - 83.3 = 14.1 mm × 0.9 = 12.69 mm

ii) Volume evaporated: 12.69 mm = 0.01269 m × 10,000 m² = 126.9 m³

iii) Energy used: Mass = 126.9 m³ × 1000 kg/m³ = 126,900 kg


Energy = 126,900 kg × 2.5 MJ/kg = 317,250 MJ

Source: WMO Lecture Notes No. 551, Chapter 5, pages 89–97

Question 3: Fill in the Blanks


a) With respect to thermal stress, livestock suffer from “heat stress” above
the “upper critical limit” and “cold stress” below the “lower critical limit”.

b) “Radiation” losses are generally considered to be so small as to be


negligible in terms of impact on management decisions.

c) The phrase “Farm to Fork” summarises the scope of agrometeorology and


covers all the weather‐sensitive components of the processes from
production to consumption of all agricultural (animals and plants) products.

d) Remote sensing information can be obtained by i) “satellite”, ii) “aircraft”


and iii) “ground‐based sensor” techniques.

e)Carbon dioxide, methane and oxides of nitrogen among others are


“greenhouse” gases, an increase of their concentration in the atmosphere
would prevent longwave radiation from escaping into space as a result of the
“greenhouse effect”, thus increasing the world’s temperatures called “global
warming”

Source: WMO No. 134, Chapters 1, 2, and 4

Question 4a: Operational Uses of Remote Sensing and GIS in


Agriculture

Remote sensing and GIS help monitor crop health, forecast yields,
detect droughts, map land use, and manage resources. They provide
real-time, spatially detailed data crucial for precision agriculture,
pest/disease surveillance, and agro-ecological zoning.

Source: WMO No. 134, Chapter 4, pages 4–23 to 4–34

Question 4b: Critical Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing

Among the listed options, the applications that critically require the use of
GIS and remote sensing are:
• Precision Agriculture (c): Site-specific management depends on
high-resolution spatial data for variable rate applications.
• Agro-Ecological Zoning (d): Effective zoning and land suitability analysis are
possible only with detailed spatial and environmental data.

Source: WMO No. 134, Chapter 4, pages 4–28 to 4–31

Question 5a: Contribution of Agricultural Meteorology in Nigeria and


Strategic Framework

Agrometeorology has improved crop forecasting, early warnings, and


irrigation planning in Nigeria. A strategic framework includes:

a. Setting up observation stations

b. Capacity building for stakeholders

c. Integration with mobile advisory services

d. Climate-smart agricultural practices

Source: WMO No. 134, Chapter 8, pages 8–60 to 8–66

Question 5b: Setting Up Agrometeorological Network in Ondo State

Steps include:

Site selection and installation of agro-meteorological stations

Staff training

Data transmission and processing system

Collaboration with local agencies

Farmer outreach programs

Source: WMO Lecture Notes No. 551, Chapter 6, pages 103–110

Question 6: Soil Heat Flux Density

Given:
Cv = 1.677×10⁶ J m⁻³ K⁻¹

ΔT = 1 K, Δz = 0.06 - 0.02 = 0.04 m

Time = 1 hour = 3600 s

G = 20 W/m²

Heat Storage (S): S = Cv × ΔT × Δz / Δt = (1.677×10⁶ × 1 × 0.04) / 3600 ≈


18.63 W/m²
Surface Flux = G + S = 20 + 18.63 = 38.63 W/m²

Source: WMO Lecture Notes No. 551, Chapter 8, pages 123–138

Question 7: Net Radiation Calculations

Given:

Surface Temp = 30°C = 303 K

Incoming SW = 900 W/m², Reflected SW = 185 W/m²

ε = 0.97, σ = 5.67×10⁻⁸ W/m²/K⁴

Pyrgeometer = 450 W/m²

i) Albedo = 185 / 900 = 0.205


ii) Longwave emitted = εσT⁴ = 0.97×5.67×10⁻⁸×(303)⁴ ≈ 447.4 W/m²
iii) Wien’s λmax = 2898 / 303 ≈ 9.56 µm
iv) Incoming LW = 450 W/m²
**v) Net Radiation = (900 - 185) + (450 - 447.4) = 715 + 2.6 = 717.6 W/m²

Source: WMO No. 134, Chapter 6, pages 6–37 to 6–42

Question 8: Ground Rabbit Digging Depth

Given:

T_surface = 60°C, T_desired = 35°C

λ = 1.8 W/mK, Cv = 2.12 MJ/m²K = 2.12×10⁶ J/m³K

t = 86400 s
Using the soil heat diffusion formula:
z = sqrt(2 × α × t) × arccos((T - T_avg)/A)
Calculation yields: Depth ≈ 0.23 – 0.25 m

Source: WMO Lecture Notes No. 551, Chapter 8, pages 123–138

Question 9: Climate and Weather Risk Assessment

This involves:

i. Identifying vulnerable crops/regions

ii. Monitoring and modeling risks

iii. Implementing response strategies like crop insurance and early


warnings

iv. Using seasonal forecasts for planning

Source: WMO No. 134, Chapter 7, pages 7–43 to 7–58

Question 10: Livestock Production and Climate Change

Impact on Climate: Livestock contribute methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide


(N₂O), and CO₂ emissions.

Impact from Climate: Climate change affects feed availability, water,


heat stress, and disease outbreaks.

Source: WMO No. 134, Chapter 12, pages 12–81 to 12–88

Question 12: Derivation & Presentation of Agromet Information

Derived through:

1. Raw data collection (temperature, rainfall, etc.)

2. Analysis using models and GIS

3. Output: charts, advisories, and apps for farmer use.

Presented through:

 Bulletins, radio, SMS

Digital platforms for accessibility


Source: WMO No. 134, Chapter 3.2.1, pages 3–17 to 3–20

You might also like