Monitoring Climate Change software uses local weather data to predict trends

Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) designed the software Monitoring Climate Change (Moclic) through which it is possible to organise, store and operate geo-referenced data from climate elements.

Moclic can calculate bio and agroclimatic indicators, such as humidity, aridity, rain erosion and rainfall concentration, researchers said.

The software feeds on data from weather stations in any state or country, unlike current software that use global information, with which what happens in a small ranch regarding temperature can be known more accurately.

Francisco Bautista Zuniga, head of Monoclic project, points out that the software allows an agronomist to obtain annual rainfall records and relate them to the crops production figures for explanation of a possible event.

"Likewise, it is possible to identify desiccation processes in a region, which comes useful when considering the use of improved seeds that can resist droughts, or the optimisation of rainwater catching techniques, storage or types of irrigation," Zuniga said.

He said a physician can obtain information about the climatic tendencies of specific periods of time to know the behaviour of intestinal diseases in certain weather conditions.

Zuniga pointed out that knowing the tendencies regarding the change of atmospheric conditions is needed by every federal entity, since it can help taking measures prior to a possible flood.

"The use of Moclic with local data is of great importance because global models do not include land relief nor closeness to sea data, among others.

"The software is very simple and can be used by decision making characters, as governors, breeders, physicians, farmers, students, or anyone whose repercussions could have economic, politic or social effects," said Zuniga.