scholarly journals 22 Years of Near-zero Cloud Cover Variability across Varying Geographical Landscapes of Southern Africa: A Surprising Anomaly

2021 ◽  
pp. 150-163
Author(s):  
Mutinta Nkolola
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Cloud Cover ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Physical Geography ◽  
Climatic Variables ◽  
Climatic Research Unit ◽  
Energy Budgets ◽  
Gridded Dataset ◽  
Diurnal Range

In physical geography, clouds are known to dictate global energy budgets and to have crucial ripple effects on other climatic variables such as diurnal range of temperature (DTR), a key indicator of climate change. Here, a 115-year state-of-the-art station based gridded dataset from the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) is interrogated to understand the evolution of cloud cover across southern Africa for the period 1901 - 2016. Results show near-constant variability from 1901 – 1922. It was therefore hypothesised that the observed near-constant variability would result in a similar pattern for some climatic variables such as DTR as the opposite would bring into question our current knowledge of geographical mechanisms underlying DTR control across the region. Further analyses showed little to no association between cloud cover and other climatological variables (including DTR) for the period 1901 – 1922 but strong and significant association from 1923 – 2016. This is the first observational evidence of near-constant cloud cover variability; it is surprising, and counterintuitive. This constant variation can be attributed to limited ground-based observations that went into the construction of the CRU gridded dataset during the 1901 – 1922 period and therefore, caution needs to be exercised by studies that need to use the data for the said period. This is a crucial area of scientific enquiry, and a lack of caution can lead to misleading conclusions on cloud cover evolution and how that relates to climate change.

scholarly journals Impact of Climate Change on Electricity Demand: A Case Study of Karachi District

2013 ◽  
Vol 52 (4I) ◽  
pp. 467-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafat Mahmood ◽  
Sundus Saleemi ◽  
Sajid Amin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Cloud Cover ◽  
Electricity Demand ◽  
Climatic Variables ◽  
Extreme Temperatures ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
On Demand ◽  
The Impact

Out of the climatic variables such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloud cover, etc., electricity demand has been found most responsive to changes in temperature [Parkpoom and Harrison (2008); Al-Hamadi and Soliman (2005); Hor, et al. (2005)]. According to National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the decade from 2001 to 2010 was the warmest worldwide while the rise in surface temperatures of South Asia region by the end of the century is projected around 3.3oC average annually (IPCC);1 not only are the average temperatures rising but the range of extreme temperatures is also widening. Increase in temperatures can affect human lives significantly; the present study focusses on examining the impact of climate change on demand for electricity in Pakistan.

scholarly journals Impacts of climate change on wind erosion in southern Africa during 1991–2015

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaonan Zhao ◽  
Hanbing Zhang ◽  
Man Wang ◽  
Hong Jiang ◽  
Jian Peng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Wind Erosion ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

scholarly journals MaxEnt Modeling Based on CMIP6 Models to Project Potential Suitable Zones for Cunninghamia lanceolata in China

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 752
Author(s):  
Yichen Zhou ◽  
Zengxin Zhang ◽  
Bin Zhu ◽  
Xuefei Cheng ◽  
Liu Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cunninghamia Lanceolata ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Timber Species ◽  
Diurnal Range ◽  
The Future ◽  
Suitable Area

Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. (Chinese fir) is one of the main timber species in Southern China, which has a wide planting range that accounts for 25% of the overall afforested area. Moreover, it plays a critical role in soil and water conservation; however, its suitability is subject to climate change. For this study, the appropriate distribution area of C. lanceolata was analyzed using the MaxEnt model based on CMIP6 data, spanning 2041–2060. The results revealed that (1) the minimum temperature of the coldest month (bio6), and the mean diurnal range (bio2) were the most important environmental variables that affected the distribution of C. lanceolata; (2) the currently suitable areas of C. lanceolata were primarily distributed along the southern coastal areas of China, of which 55% were moderately so, while only 18% were highly suitable; (3) the projected suitable area of C. lanceolata would likely expand based on the BCC-CSM2-MR, CanESM5, and MRI-ESM2-0 under different SSPs spanning 2041–2060. The increased area estimated for the future ranged from 0.18 to 0.29 million km2, where the total suitable area of C. lanceolata attained a maximum value of 2.50 million km2 under the SSP3-7.0 scenario, with a lowest value of 2.39 million km2 under the SSP5-8.5 scenario; (4) in combination with land use and farmland protection policies of China, it is estimated that more than 60% of suitable land area could be utilized for C. lanceolata planting from 2041–2060 under different SSP scenarios. Although climate change is having an increasing influence on species distribution, the deleterious impacts of anthropogenic activities cannot be ignored. In the future, further attention should be paid to the investigation of species distribution under the combined impacts of climate change and human activities.

scholarly journals The impact of climate change on wind and solar resources in southern Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 556-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Fant ◽  
C. Adam Schlosser ◽  
Kenneth Strzepek
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Rhodoliths in Brazil: Current knowledge and potential impacts of climate change

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (spe2) ◽  
pp. 117-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Antunes Horta ◽  
Pablo Riul ◽  
Gilberto M. Amado Filho ◽  
Carlos Frederico D. Gurgel ◽  
Flávio Berchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Change ◽  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Coastal Pollution ◽  
Brazil Current ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Benthic Ecosystems ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Abstract Rhodolith beds are important marine benthic ecosystems, representing oases of high biodiversity among sedimentary seabed environments. They are found frequently and abundantly, acting as major carbonate 'factories' and playing a key role in the biogeochemical cycling of carbonates in the South Atlantic. Rhodoliths are under threat due to global change (mainly related to ocean acidification and global warming) and local stressors, such as fishing and coastal run-off. Here, we review different aspects of the biology of these organisms, highlighting the predicted effects of global change, considering the additional impact of local stressors. Ocean acidification (OA) represents a particular threat that can reduce calcification or even promote the decalcification of these bioengineers, thus increasing the eco-physiological imbalance between calcareous and fleshy algae. OA should be considered, but this together with extreme events such as heat waves and storms, as main stressors of these ecosystems at the present time, will worsen in the future, especially if possible interactions with local stressors like coastal pollution are taken into consideration. Thus, in Brazil there is a serious need for starting monitoring programs and promote innovative experimental infrastructure in order to improve our knowledge of these rich environments, optimize management efforts and enhance the needed conservation initiatives.

scholarly journals Nature-based tourism operators’ perceptions and adaptation to climate change in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (42) ◽  
pp. 115-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Mushawemhuka ◽  
Jayne M. Rogerson ◽  
Jarkko Saarinen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Economic Role ◽  
Change Perceptions ◽  
Hwange National Park ◽  
Adaptation Practices

Abstract Climate and weather are important resources for tourism. In particular, nature-based tourism activities and operations are largely dependent on and affected by environmental conditions and changes. Due to the significant socio-economic role of the nature-based tourism and the tourism industry, in general, in the region of southern Africa it is important to understand the dynamics between the industry and climate change. A key aspect of this understanding are perceptions and adaptation preparedness of tourism operators towards the estimated impact of climate change. There is a dearth of empirical studies on climate change perceptions and adaptation in nature-based tourism operations across southern Africa and specifically from Zimbabwe. This research gap is addressed in this article which provides an exploratory analysis of the nature of climate change adaptation practices occurring in southern Africa using evidence from Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals Ocean Convection

Fluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 360
Author(s):  
Catherine Vreugdenhil ◽  
Bishakhdatta Gayen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Water Mass ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Open Ocean ◽  
Meridional Overturning Circulation ◽  
Ocean Dynamics ◽  
Global Circulation Models ◽  
Ocean Convection

Ocean convection is a key mechanism that regulates heat uptake, water-mass transformation, CO2 exchange, and nutrient transport with crucial implications for ocean dynamics and climate change. Both cooling to the atmosphere and salinification, from evaporation or sea-ice formation, cause surface waters to become dense and down-well as turbulent convective plumes. The upper mixed layer in the ocean is significantly deepened and sustained by convection. In the tropics and subtropics, night-time cooling is a main driver of mixed layer convection, while in the mid- and high-latitude regions, winter cooling is key to mixed layer convection. Additionally, at higher latitudes, and particularly in the sub-polar North Atlantic Ocean, the extensive surface heat loss during winter drives open-ocean convection that can reach thousands of meters in depth. On the Antarctic continental shelf, polynya convection regulates the formation of dense bottom slope currents. These strong convection events help to drive the immense water-mass transport of the globally-spanning meridional overturning circulation (MOC). However, convection is often highly localised in time and space, making it extremely difficult to accurately measure in field observations. Ocean models such as global circulation models (GCMs) are unable to resolve convection and turbulence and, instead, rely on simple convective parameterizations that result in a poor representation of convective processes and their impact on ocean circulation, air–sea exchange, and ocean biology. In the past few decades there has been markedly more observations, advancements in high-resolution numerical simulations, continued innovation in laboratory experiments and improvement of theory for ocean convection. The impacts of anthropogenic climate change on ocean convection are beginning to be observed, but key questions remain regarding future climate scenarios. Here, we review the current knowledge and future direction of ocean convection arising from sea–surface interactions, with a focus on mixed layer, open-ocean, and polynya convection.

scholarly journals CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON MOUNTAIN BIODIVERSITY: A SPECIAL REFERENCE TO GILGIT-BALTISTAN OF PAKISTAN

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
S. Ishaq ◽  
M. Z. Khan ◽  
F. Begum ◽  
K. Hussain ◽  
R. Amir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Special Reference ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Gap ◽  
Change Models ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
The Government ◽  
Gilgit Baltistan ◽  
The Impact

Climate Change is not a stationary phenomenon; it moves from time to time, it represents a major threat to mountainous biodiversity and to ecosystem integrity. The present study is an attempt to identify the current knowledge gap and the effects of climate change on mountainous biodiversity, a special reference to the Gilgit-Baltistan is briefly reviewed. Measuring the impact of climate change on mountain biodiversity is quite challenging, because climate change interacts with every phenomenon of ecosystem. The scale of this change is so large and very adverse so strongly connected to ecosystem services, and all communities who use natural resources. This study aims to provide the evidences on the basis of previous literature, in particular context to mountain biodiversity of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan have most fragile ecosystem and are more vulnerable to climate change. These mountains host variety of wild fauna and flora, with many endangered species of the world. There are still many gaps in our knowledge of literature we studied because very little research has been conducted in Gilgit-Baltistan about climate change particular to biodiversity. Recommendations are made for increased research efforts in future this including jointly monitoring programs, climate change models and ecological research. Understanding the impact of climate change particular to biodiversity of GB is very important for sustainable management of these natural resources. The Government organizations, NGOs and the research agencies must fill the knowledge gap, so that it will help them for policy making, which will be based on scientific findings and research based.

scholarly journals Feed biomass production may not be sufficient to support emerging livestock demand: Model projections to 2050 in Southern Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolapo Enahoro ◽  
Jason Sircely ◽  
Randall B. Boone ◽  
Stephen Oloo ◽  
Adam M. Komarek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Biomass Productivity ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Demand Model ◽  
Livestock Feed ◽  
By Products

The demand for livestock-derived foods has steadily grown over the past decades and rising incomes and human populations are expected to see demand further increase. It is unclear if current livestock feed resources are adequately prepared to meet future demand especially given the looming challenges of climate change. Many feeds such as grasses, crop by-products, and other biomass may not be widely grown commercially or sold in formal markets but are critical sources of livestock feed in many low-resource settings in which ruminant livestock production is important. The availability of these feed types can determine the extent to which the livestock sector can expand to meet growing, and sometimes critical, demand for animal-source foods. In this paper, we compare country-level projections of livestock demand from a global economic model to simulated data on feed biomass production. Our comparisons account separately for beef, lamb, and dairy demand. The data allow us to assess the future sufficiency of key sources of feed biomass, and hence aspects of the expansion capacity of livestock production in selected countries in Southern Africa. Our simulation results project that given the interacting effects of projected climate change and changes in income and population in the region, there will not be enough feed biomass produced domestically to meet growing demand for livestock products. For three types of feed biomass (feed crops including grains, grasses, and crop by-products) for which future livestock feed sufficiency was examined, our results showed feed sufficiency declines for all three feed types in Malawi and Mozambique, for two out of three in South Africa and for one of three in Zambia, under intermediate and extreme scenarios of climate change in 2050. Our results suggest an urgent need to improve feed biomass productivity to support future supply of animal protein in the study countries.

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