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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mayaguez, Puerto Rico » Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #358371
Research Project: Conservation and Utilization of Tropical and Subtropical Tree Fruit, Cacao and Bamboo Genetic Resources

Location: Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research

Title: An Analysis of Long-Term Climate variations in Central African Countries (1901-2015)

Author
item YAW, TWUMASI - SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A & M COLLEGE
item MEREM, EDMUND - JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY
item NAMWAMBA, JOHN - SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A & M COLLEGE
item LUKONGO, ONYUMBE - SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A & M COLLEGE
item AYALA SILVA, TOMAS
item OSEI, ALBERT - OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY
item OKWEMBA, RONALD - SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A & M COLLEGE
item PETJA, BRILLIANT - SOUTH AFRICA WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/20/2018
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The increasing incidence of global environmental degradation, especially the depletion of protective atmospheric ozone layer, rising levels of global temperatures, and loss of biodiversity fueled by anthropogenic influences has been attributed in part to increased levels of greenhouse gases. These changes in greenhouse gases and aerosols, taken together, are projected to lead to regional and global changes in temperature, precipitation, and other climate variables—resulting in global changes in soil moisture, an increase in global mean sea level, and prospects for more severe extreme high-temperature events, floods, and droughts in some places. Central African countries are not exception of increasing resource degradation fueling climate change. Human activities inside these countries for example, deforestation and degradation of forest resources, large scale and illegal mining, urbanization, slash and burn agriculture, result from shifting cultivation and uncontrolled exploitation to satisfy the needs of both the local populations are some of the major issues confronting the region. This study examines the long-term climate variations in Central African Countries (Gabon, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Central Africa Republic, Chad and Democratic Republic of Congo) for the period 1901 to 2015, and then investigate the possible influence of increases in greenhouse gas concentrations. To investigate climate patterns and trends in the Central African Countries, precipitation and temperature were analyzed on annual time scales using data collected from the World Bank Group Climate Change Knowledge Portal. Data was further aggregated using annual average block of 10 years. Simple linear and polynomial regression was performed. Also, linear time series slopes were analyzed to investigate the spatial and temporal trends of climate variability in Central African Countries. Results of the analyses indicate that the mean annual temperature and precipitation records in some of the Central African Countries had both warming and cooling trends over the study period from 1901 to 2015.