TITLE:
Study of Recent Climate Variability in Guinean Coast: Case Study of Bingerville and La Mé in Côte D’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Adama Bamba, Fidèle Yoroba, Kouakou Kouadio, Alexandre Ainyankou, Gilles Niamketchi, N’Datchoh Evelyne Toure, Benjamin Pillot, Arona Diedhiou
KEYWORDS:
Climate, Monsoon, Vulnerability, Bingerville, La Mé
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.9,
September
24,
2024
ABSTRACT: Understanding and characterising climate change at a small scale is fundamental to face its impacts on local vulnerabilities and development projects. This study characterises climate parameters in the southern part of Côte d’Ivoire, more specifically in Bingerville and La Mé localities. Several methods were used to carry out the study, they include Nicholson’s rainfall index, Gumbel’s law and De Martonne’s aridity index. The results show that the climate in this region has been subject to strong interannual variability, with a succession of dry and wet periods. Temporal analysis shows a long series of dry years over two decades (1991-2010), but a slight upturn over the decade 2010-2019. The seasonal behaviour of climatic parameters was highlighted in these localities. The results also showed that monthly temperatures and monthly relative humidity mean follow a similar pattern, but with a bias towards the January to March period in general. The surface winds in Bingerville are dominated by monsoon winds throughout the year, unlike the winds in La Mé, which are made up of monsoon and harmattan winds. Although the results of this study are important indicators for assessing climate risks, it is important to improve and strengthen observation systems in order to better characterise and update climate studies in these areas, with a view to help reduce the vulnerability of local populations.