American Journal of Climate Change
Volume 3, Issue 1 (March 2014)
ISSN Print: 2167-9495 ISSN Online: 2167-9509
Google-based Impact Factor: 1.51 Citations h5-index & Ranking
Urban Effects on the Precipitation of Benin, Nigeria ()
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ABSTRACT
This study is designed to examine the urban effects on the precipitation of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. This was to ascertain the differences within urban precipitation and urban-rural differences in precipitation. The study adopted a survey design in which data used for this study were generated from direct field measurement of precipitation for the period of one year. A total of 25 rain gauges were established in the various landuse types in existence in the city in line with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standard for the collection of the precipitation amounts. Thirty-one years’ archival precipitation data were also extracted from the archive of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Benin and Nigeria Institute of Oil Palm Research (NIFOR). Analysis of variance (ANOVA), paired t-test and trend analysis were used in this study. The result showed 2541 mm mean annual precipitation with 43% increase in precipitation in urban area over the country sides. Precipitation amounts differ significantly within the urban canopy from the high density areas to the natural parks. Rainfall in all months with double precipitation maxima is in the months of July and September, indicating the presence of August hiatus in the city, and it also showed that Fridays and Sundays are the wettest and driest days of the weeks. The study revealed that the precipitation of Benin-City is strong and heavy with 2311 mm and 2541 mm which has strong implications on hydrological cycle, properties and social-economic activities of the dwellers. It is therefore recommended that program on urban climatology should be initiated soon by the state and federal government of Nigeria.
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