Timor-Leste has a monsoonal climate with a dry season from around May to October and a wet season from November to April. The high mountain range running down the length of the island has a big impact on the climate. Along the south coast there is a bimodal wet season allowing two crops to be planted during the wet season.
Climate change predictions indicate an increase in temperature of around 1.5?C and an increase in rainfall of around 0 – 10% over the next 50 years. It is predicted that there will be a greater increase in rainfall in the higher altitudes where the rainfall is higher. Storm events and heat waves are predicted to intensify. It is likely that during this time the population of Timor-Leste will more than double. Together, these forecasts present a significant challenge to agriculture in the country.
To assist the government, NGOs, agronomists and others working in the field of agriculture, the Climate Change Team in Seeds of Life is assessing the impact of climate on agriculture and the implications of climate change. We are working toward making our resources freely available on this to be copied and distributed for the benefit of the people of Timor-Leste.
How will climate change affect Timor-Leste? Access research and brochures on climate change specific to Timor-Leste.
taFind climate data from many sites around the country from as far back as 1914. Also find out what Seeds of Life is doing to improve weather data collection.
For information on climate, climate variability and climate change, check out the Seeds of Life Climate Posters. There’s one for each district in either Tetun or English.
ENSO – EL Niño Southern Oscillation
Get brochures in Tetun and English showing how El niño/La Niña affect Timor-Leste. Includes a more in-depth analysis of historical impact of ENSO on Timor-Leste.
Get maps to assist in planning your project. These maps assist agriculturalists to better understand the land and the climate of Timor-Leste. These maps are mainly centred around soil, climate and yield analysis.
Find agriculture calenders for different districts and sucos showing traditional farming practices according to the seasons.
Farmer Adaptations
Practical advice on what farmers can do to meet the challenges of climate change.
Information about soils and studies done in Timor-Leste including the files on “Solos de Timor” with the relevant technical info translated to English. Make your own soil maps!
Useful Links
www.centre-climatechange-biodiversity-tl.org Climate Change and Biodiversity Center, Universidade Nasional Timor Lorosae (UNTL)
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate The Australian Bureau of Meteorology with lots of great climate info
www.pacificclimatechangescience.org The home site of the Pacific Climate Change Science Program with very good analysis of climate change predictions
http://peskador.org/ Fish Site for Timor-Leste with weather info
http://www.realclimate.org/ Climate science without the hype
www.diva-gis.org GIS mapping site with modelled climate and rainfall data
http://timoragri.fhost.com.au/ A whole host of data on agriculture in Timor-Leste
http://timoragri.fhost.com.au/ta300/345%20Timor%20Climate%20interactive.htm The climate change section of the Timor Agri website
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