A Comprehensive Analysis of Temperature Trends in Northern Cameroon | Chapter 2 | Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 2

The northern part of Cameroon is reported to be vulnerable to climate change due to its strong dependence on agriculture. Climate change in Cameroon has contributed to the drying of surface water and crops, threatening food security and the well-being of households. However, limited research has focused on the evolution of climatic data that influence agriculture. Existing studies are rarely based on field data. The assessment of precipitation has gained more attention than that of temperature, but only a few publications have addressed temperature dynamics. This study addresses this gap by analysing the dynamics of three temperature parameters, namely, maximum, minimum and mean temperatures. The primary aim of the study is to develop a comprehensive analysis of temperature trends in Northern Cameroon. For this investigation, temperature data from 1973 to 2020 were collected from weather stations located in three major cities in northern Cameroon: Ngaoundere and Garoua, from the weather stations of the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA); and Maroua, from the weather station of the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics version 20 and XLSTAT. The tests proposed by Pettitt, Buishand, Mann-Kendall and Sen's slope were used. The study reveals that in Ngaoundere, the minimum temperature increased by 8.7% between 1987 and 2020 compared to 1973-1986. In Garoua, the mean temperature increased by 2.2% between 2003 and 2020 compared to 1973-2002, the minimum temperature increased by 13.3% between 1985 and 2020 compared to 1973-1984, and the maximum temperature decreased by -8.2%. In Maroua, the mean temperature increased by 3.6% between 2002 and 2020 compared to 1973-2001, and the minimum temperature also increased by 17.8% between 1990 and 2020 compared to 1973-1989; however, the maximum temperature decreased by -6.8% between 1988 and 2020 compared to 1973-1987. These temperature shifts in Cameroon are likely driven by the accumulation of greenhouse gases from bushfires and deforestation, as well as urban heat island effects resulting from infrastructure expansion and widespread use of air conditioning. The findings of this study can be used as the basis for forecasting future agricultural conditions and climate adaptation strategies in northern Cameroon.

 

Author(s) Details

Bassirou Yaouba
Rural Engineering Department, National Advanced School of Public Works, Yaounde Cameroon,                    P.O. Box 510, Yaounde, Cameroon and Laboratory of Energy, Materials, Modelling and Methods, National Higher Polytechnic School, University of Douala, P.O. Box 2701, Douala, Cameroon.

 

Bitondo Dieudonné
Laboratory of Energy, Materials, Modelling and Methods, National Higher Polytechnic School, University of Douala, P.O. Box 2701, Douala, Cameroon and Quality, Hygiene, Safety and Industrial Environment Department, University of Douala, Cameroon.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crgese/v2/5828