Climate change impacts on South American rangelands

In the context of ecosystems, climate, human population distribution, and cultural traditions, South America is a highly heterogeneous continent. As for rangelands, they are found within regions with climatic conditions from arid to subhumid. The main climate variables include temperature and precipitation, but that the variation in rangeland productivity is directly proportional with highly variable amounts and seasonal distribution of precipitation, and only secondary controlled by other climatic variables. In the context of climate change, the South American rangelands face similar fate as their North American counterpart. Temperature increase range from 1-4 degrees to 4.5 degrees Celsius, the highest of which will be experienced over tropical South America. Most models also show that reductions is precipitation will occur. Monsoon precipitation will occur over the Amazon Basin in December, January, and February, and then decreases in June, July, and August.