Title: Rainfall and temperature variability across selected ecological regions in Nigeria

Authors: Kehinde Olayinka Popoola; Adebayo Oluwole Eludoyin; Gbenga John Oladehinde; Sunday Adesola Ajayi; Oladimeji Samuel Popoola

Addresses: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria ' Department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ' Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria ' Department of Crop Production and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, 220282 Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria; Institute for Sustainable Development, First Technical University, Km 11, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan 200255, Nigeria ' Cooperative Information Network, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract: The study examined short-term spatial changes in selected climatic variable over representative stations for the climatic regions across Nigeria. Five (2012-2016) years' daily records of rainfall and temperature of selected stations were used. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and spectral analysis. Results showed spatial differences in rainfall and temperature across the climatic regions. Evidences from spectral analysis indicated that the previously accepted double maxima in rainfall of the equatorial and mangrove zone may be fading gradually as the periodicity results indicated one frequency peak similar to the Savanna station. Furthermore, result of cluster analysis supports existing hypothesis that the ecological system of climatic regionalisation of the parts of Nigeria is rainfall-inclined. The study concluded that temperature and rainfall in the area exhibit extreme occurrence, potentially with dire consequences. The study recommends investigation into coping strategies of the people, and poorly managed urban areas to climate extreme events.

Keywords: temperature; rainfall; trend; variability; ecological zones; Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2020.112598

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2020 Vol.20 No.3/4, pp.311 - 323

Received: 04 Feb 2020
Accepted: 05 May 2020
Published online: 22 Jan 2021 *

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