Recent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorDavis, Claire L
dc.contributor.authorHoffman, M Timm
dc.contributor.authorRoberts, Wesley
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:16:12Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:16:12Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractAbstract Namaqualand is especially vulnerable to future climate change impacts. Using a high-resolution (0.5°x0.5°) gridded data set (CRU TS 3.1) and individual weather station data, we demonstrated that temperatures as well as frequency of hot extremes have increased across this region. Specifically, minimum temperatures have increased by 1.4 °C and maximum temperatures by 1.1 °C over the last century. Of the five weather stations analysed, two showed evidence of a significant increase in the duration of warm spells of up to 5 days per decade and a reduction in the number of cool days (TX10P) by up to 3 days per decade. In terms of rainfall, we found no clear evidence for a significant change in annual totals or the frequency or intensity of rainfall events. Seasonal trends in rainfall did, however, demonstrate some spatial variability across the region. Spatial trends in evapotranspiration obtained from the 8-day MOD16 ET product were characterised by a steepening inland-coastal gradient where areas along the coastline showed a significant increase in evapotranspiration of up to 30 mm per decade, most notably in spring and summer. The increase in temperature linked with the increases in evapotranspiration pose significant challenges for water availability in the region, but further research into changes in coastal fog is required in order for a more reliable assessment to be made. Overall, the results presented in this study provide evidence-based information for the management of climate change impacts as well as the development of appropriate adaptation responses at a local scale.
dc.identifier.apacitationDavis, C. L., Hoffman, M. T., & Roberts, W. (2016). Recent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa. <i>South African Journal of Science</i>, Volume 112(Number 3/4), 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34794en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationDavis, Claire L, M Timm Hoffman, and Wesley Roberts "Recent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa." <i>South African Journal of Science</i> Volume 112, Number 3/4. (2016): 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34794en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationDavis, C.L., Hoffman, M.T. & Roberts, W. 2016. Recent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa. <i>South African Journal of Science.</i> Volume 112(Number 3/4):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34794en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0038-2353
dc.identifier.issn1996-7489
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Davis, Claire L AU - Hoffman, M Timm AU - Roberts, Wesley AB - Abstract Namaqualand is especially vulnerable to future climate change impacts. Using a high-resolution (0.5°x0.5°) gridded data set (CRU TS 3.1) and individual weather station data, we demonstrated that temperatures as well as frequency of hot extremes have increased across this region. Specifically, minimum temperatures have increased by 1.4 °C and maximum temperatures by 1.1 °C over the last century. Of the five weather stations analysed, two showed evidence of a significant increase in the duration of warm spells of up to 5 days per decade and a reduction in the number of cool days (TX10P) by up to 3 days per decade. In terms of rainfall, we found no clear evidence for a significant change in annual totals or the frequency or intensity of rainfall events. Seasonal trends in rainfall did, however, demonstrate some spatial variability across the region. Spatial trends in evapotranspiration obtained from the 8-day MOD16 ET product were characterised by a steepening inland-coastal gradient where areas along the coastline showed a significant increase in evapotranspiration of up to 30 mm per decade, most notably in spring and summer. The increase in temperature linked with the increases in evapotranspiration pose significant challenges for water availability in the region, but further research into changes in coastal fog is required in order for a more reliable assessment to be made. Overall, the results presented in this study provide evidence-based information for the management of climate change impacts as well as the development of appropriate adaptation responses at a local scale. DA - 2016 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - Number 3/4 J1 - South African Journal of Science LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2016 SM - 0038-2353 SM - 1996-7489 T1 - Recent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa TI - Recent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34794 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34794
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationDavis CL, Hoffman MT, Roberts W. Recent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa. South African Journal of Science. 2016;Volume 112(Number 3/4):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34794.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciences
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.sourceSouth African Journal of Science
dc.source.journalissueNumber 3/4
dc.source.journalvolumeVolume 112
dc.source.pagination174 - 177
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2016/20150217
dc.subject.otherClimate extreme
dc.subject.otherClimate trend analysis
dc.subject.otherTemperature
dc.subject.otherRainfall
dc.subject.otherEvapotranspiration
dc.subject.otherArticle
dc.titleRecent trends in the climate of Namaqualand, a megadiverse arid region of South Africa
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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