International Workshop on ENSO, Decadal Variability and Climate Change in South America

International Workshop on ENSO, Decadal Variability and Climate Change in South America



Date: October 12th - 14th, 2010.
Place: Guayaquil-Ecuador
Rationale
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has a profound influence on South American climate. For example, during an El Niño rainfall tends to increase over Ecuador and decrease over Colombia. Â However, the El Niño events that occurred during 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 were different. They did not result in impacts that might have been expected based on our past experiences. The reasons for the differences seen in South America and in other parts of the world are not fully understood, but are the subject of intense research in many countries. This research includes studies examining naturally occurring decadal variability in ENSO and ENSO impacts, differences in the details of sea-surface temperature patterns between El Niño events, and the influence of global warming on ENSO and on the way ENSO affects global weather patterns. It is hoped that this research will lead to more useful information for decision-making in the wider community. This workshop will bring climate experts from around the world to discuss this research and its relevance to South American climate.


Objectives
a) To review the latest scientific advances on ENSO, decadal variability and Climate Change in South America.
b) To review the projected trends and changes in ENSO Teleconnections in South America.
c) To discuss on  the potential climate impacts for the next 10-15 years and their  social and economical implications in South America


Organization of the workshop
The Workshop will be held from October 12th -14th and will be followed by the VI Session of the CLIVAR Pacific Panel from October 15th to 16th. The following thematic sessions will be developed:
Session I: ENSO dynamics, predictability, decadal modulation, and the influence of global climate change
Session II: ENSO impacts, modeling and forecasting in South America
Session III: Decadal variability and climate change in South America
Session IV:Â Impacts of ENSO on biogeochemistry and ecosystems (Morning - 14 October)
Session V: The 2009-2010 El Niño: regional analyses, forecasts, impacts, and climate service applications (Afternoon-14 October)


Scientific Committee
Carolina Vera (UBA, Argentina) co-chair
Michael McPhaden (NOAA, USA)  co-chair
Lisa Goddard (IRI, USA)
Scott Power (BOM, Australia)
Axel Timmerman (IPRC, USA)
Affonso Mascarenhas (CIIFEN, Ecuador)
Boris Dewitte (IRD, Peru)
Jean-Philipe Boulanger (IRD, Argentina)


Organizing committee
Rodney Martinez (CIIFEN, Ecuador)
Wenju Cai (CSIRO, Australia)
Alex Ganachaud (Legos/IRD, New Caledonia, France)
Nico Caltabiano (ICPO, UK)