Abstract
A study of the seasonal structure of rainfall organization in a humid tropical mountain region of West Africa using multivariate classification techniques revealed considerable variations in rainfall regimes from ultra-humid to sub-humid conditions. Principal Component Analysis produced a three-component model which was used to characterize and explain the seasonal rainfall variations within the region. These are the Dry Season component which accounts for most of the variance in the rainfall data and represents the December-April period; the Wet Season component (June-September) and the Wet/Dry and Dry/Wet transitions component in October-November and May, respectively. Using the three components and a hierarchical clustering procedure, seven clusters representing the rainfall regimes were identified and characterized. A better understanding of the regional rainfall climate is important to West African countries whose economies depend largely on agriculture and related activities governed by the reliability of rainfall.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 171-183 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Journal of Agricultural Meteorology |
| Volume | 58 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 Sep 1 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Humid tropics
- Multivariate classification
- Seasonal rainfall regimes
- West Africa
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Atmospheric Science
Cite this
Multivariate Statistical Analysis of The Seasonal Rainfall Regimes of The Guinea-Fouta Djallon Mountains of West Africa. / Kamara, Serrie; Kuruppuarachchi, Tila Ck; Ranatunge, Edmond Ranga; Hayashi, Yousay; Yokosawa, Masayuki; Nishimori, Motoki; Mikami, Takehiko.
In: Journal of Agricultural Meteorology, Vol. 58, No. 4, 01.09.2002, p. 171-183.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Multivariate Statistical Analysis of The Seasonal Rainfall Regimes of The Guinea-Fouta Djallon Mountains of West Africa
AU - Kamara, Serrie
AU - Kuruppuarachchi, Tila Ck
AU - Ranatunge, Edmond Ranga
AU - Hayashi, Yousay
AU - Yokosawa, Masayuki
AU - Nishimori, Motoki
AU - Mikami, Takehiko
PY - 2002/9/1
Y1 - 2002/9/1
N2 - A study of the seasonal structure of rainfall organization in a humid tropical mountain region of West Africa using multivariate classification techniques revealed considerable variations in rainfall regimes from ultra-humid to sub-humid conditions. Principal Component Analysis produced a three-component model which was used to characterize and explain the seasonal rainfall variations within the region. These are the Dry Season component which accounts for most of the variance in the rainfall data and represents the December-April period; the Wet Season component (June-September) and the Wet/Dry and Dry/Wet transitions component in October-November and May, respectively. Using the three components and a hierarchical clustering procedure, seven clusters representing the rainfall regimes were identified and characterized. A better understanding of the regional rainfall climate is important to West African countries whose economies depend largely on agriculture and related activities governed by the reliability of rainfall.
AB - A study of the seasonal structure of rainfall organization in a humid tropical mountain region of West Africa using multivariate classification techniques revealed considerable variations in rainfall regimes from ultra-humid to sub-humid conditions. Principal Component Analysis produced a three-component model which was used to characterize and explain the seasonal rainfall variations within the region. These are the Dry Season component which accounts for most of the variance in the rainfall data and represents the December-April period; the Wet Season component (June-September) and the Wet/Dry and Dry/Wet transitions component in October-November and May, respectively. Using the three components and a hierarchical clustering procedure, seven clusters representing the rainfall regimes were identified and characterized. A better understanding of the regional rainfall climate is important to West African countries whose economies depend largely on agriculture and related activities governed by the reliability of rainfall.
KW - Humid tropics
KW - Multivariate classification
KW - Seasonal rainfall regimes
KW - West Africa
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84856169318&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84856169318&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2480/agrmet.58.171
DO - 10.2480/agrmet.58.171
M3 - Article
VL - 58
SP - 171
EP - 183
JO - J. AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY
JF - J. AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY
SN - 0021-8588
IS - 4
ER -