Abstract: Based on the 1961-2007 ground observation data from 88 meteorological stations in Southwest China, and by using statistical methods and GIS software, this paper analyzed the spatiotemporal change characteristics of agricultural climate resources in this region in the whole year and during temperature-defined growth period. In 1961-2007, the annual mean temperature in the region showed an increasing trend, with the increment averaged 0.18 ℃·(10 a)^-1. The ≥10 ℃ and ≥ 15 ℃ accumulated temperature during temperature-defined growth period also showed an increasing trend, with the increment averaged 55.3 ℃·d·(10 a)^-1 and 37 ℃·d·(10 a)^-1, respectively. The annual sunshine hours decreased gradually from west to east, and the decreasing trend was more significant in eastern than in western region. The sunshine hours during temperature-defined growth period showed an overall increasing trend, and the spatial difference was great. The precipitation resource had an overall decrease, with the decrement in whole year and during temperature-defined growth period averaged 10 mm·(10 a)^-1 and 8 mm·(10 a)^-1, respectively. The annual reference crop evapotranspiration generally decreased, but the decrement was less than that of annual precipitation. The reference crop evapotranspiration during temperature-defined growth period within about 53% meteorological stations decreased.

Key words: Southwest China, agricultural climate resource, climatic trend rate