A high contrast is observed among countries and subregions in agroclimatic indicators, particularly those related to rain. The whole region showed a large drop in RAIN (11% below average) during the reporting period, quite larger than the other major agricultural zones in the world (Table 2.1). The rainfall map shows a very different pattern among sub-regions, being most critical in the Argentinian Pampas and Chaco regions and in Uruguay with a negative anomaly during most of the summer period, when soybean and maize were at their development peak. In addition, this subregion recorded a large positive rainfall anomaly in April, just before the harvest. Southern Brazil, including mostly Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná also showed a negative anomaly in summer but of shorter duration than in the South. TEMP showed a drop of 0.3°C  following the global tendency to a decrease during this period. The temperature map shows a relatively homogeneous pattern in the region, except during April when the southern regions show a large positive anomally which could benefit rare late crops that are still growing at this time. RADPAR was at average level, in contrast with most of the other regions where a decrease was found, probably associated to observed low rain conditions.

These climatic conditions led to a decrease in accumulated biomass potential of 9%. Significant negative BIOMSS departure from average was observed (-20% or more) in the Argentinian Pampas (excepting low lands in South-East Buenos Aires province) and Misiones province, as well as in a small part of Uruguay, Paraguay and Paraná in Brazil. The tendency was also low but of a lesser magnitude (-10% to -20%) in most of southern Brazil.

Average VCIx for the whole MPZ is 0.77. According to the VCIx map, low values occurred in the Pampas, particularly in the south West and North East. The map of cropped and uncropped arable land shows that the adverse climatic conditions could have affected planting in the South-West of the Pampas,  where part of the area appears as uncropped. VHI shows discontinuous patterns with large intra-subregional bariations. This indicator is lowest in the Pampas, which confirms water stress conditions.

Crop condition is generally below average in the MPZ, and particularly poor in the Argentinian Pampas.

Figure.X Spatial distribution of temperature profiles

Figure.X Maximum VCI

Figure.X Cropped and uncropped arable land

Figure.X Potential biomass departure from 5YA

Figure.X Minimum Vegetation Health Index