Analysis of spatio-temporal rainfall trends across southern African biomes between 1981 and 2016

In this study, we simultaneously examined spatial and temporal rainfall trends based on the space-time rainfall cube derived from 1981 to 2016 CHIRPS satellite rainfall data. The space time rainfall trend analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease of rainfall across most biomes particularly in the northern parts of the savanna biome and southwestern biomes (i.e. karoo, desert and fynbos). Statistically significant (P < 0.05) rainfall increase was observed in the central parts of the region mostly within the savanna biome. In terms of the magnitude of rainfall change, some of the areas experienced as much as 12 mm rainfall decrease in the mean annual rainfall while others recorded an increase of 14 mm. Our results provide baseline information for climate change adaptation and ecosystem conservation.
Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts ABC - Category: Science Source Type: research