Monitoring land cover dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa : a Pilot Study using Earth Observing Satellite Data from 1975 and 2000

Eva H.D.; Brink A.; Simonetti D.; et al. - European Commission, 2006

human welfare (Foley et al. 2005). In many developing countries populations are heavily dependant on freshwater, forests croplands and fisheries (Homer-Dixon and Blitt 1998) to which we should add pastures. Shortages in these sectors can give rise to increased poverty, environmental refugees (Jacobson, 1988) and even conflict. Some authorities have even suggested a new age of insecurity (HomerDixon, 1991 ), the so-called “neo-Malthusian” theory. There is a growing body of literature on environmental scarcity and conflict (Raleigh and Urdal, 2005, Urdal, 2005) which reflects not only cur ...

English

 Monitoring land cover dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa: a Pilot Study using Earth Observing Satellite Data from 1975 and 2000

  Available online: http://www.carboafrica.net/downs/pubs/Land%20Cover%20Dynamics%20in%20Africa_Eva% [...]

H.D. Eva ; A. Brink ; D. Simonetti ; Institute for Environment and Sustainability

Published by: European Commission ; 2006

human welfare (Foley et al. 2005). In many developing countries populations are heavily dependant on freshwater, forests croplands and fisheries (Homer-Dixon and Blitt 1998) to which we should add pastures. Shortages in these sectors can give rise to increased poverty, environmental refugees (Jacobson, 1988) and even conflict. Some authorities have even suggested a new age of insecurity (HomerDixon, 1991 ), the so-called “neo-Malthusian” theory. There is a growing body of literature on environmental scarcity and conflict (Raleigh and Urdal, 2005, Urdal, 2005) which reflects not only current concerns but that of future scenarios based on climate change prediction and its subsequent impact on water resources, land degradation and food production. Just how much land cover change has occurred over the last 25 years is not entirely clear – as reliable statistics are hard to come by (see section 1.3). Our study aims to use an independent method to quantify the areal extent of four broad land cover classes: forests, natural non-forest vegetation, agriculture and barren areas, at two key dates 1975 and 2000. We hope to demonstrate that such an approach can give consistent and repeatable results for natural resource assessment, valid at sub continental levels, and propose improvements to the methodology. Due to the limited availability of satellite data our study does not cover ‘desertification’ processes, which require multi-temporal analysis so as to remove possible seasonal and inter-annual effects.

Language(s): English

Format: Digital (Free), Hard copy (ill., charts, maps)

Tags: Observations ; Flora ; Desertification control ; Arab countries ; Region I - Africa Add tag

No review, please log in to add yours !

Improved seasonal climate forecasts of the South Asian summer monsoon using a suite of 13 coupled ocean-atmosphere models

Chakraborty Arindam; Krishnamurti T.N.; Florida State University (FSU) - FSU, 2006

Several modeling studies have shown that the south Asian monsoon region has the lowest skill for seasonal forecasts compared with many other domains of the world. This paper demonstrates that a multimodel synthetic superensemble approach, when constructed with any set of coupled atmosphere-ocean models, can provide improved skill in seasonal climate prediction compared with single-member models or their ensemble mean for the south Asian summer monsoon region. However, performance of the superensemble tends to improve when a better set of input member models are used. As many as 13 state-of-the ...

English

 Improved seasonal climate forecasts of the South Asian summer monsoon using a suite of 13 coupled ocean-atmosphere models

  Available online: http://www.mmm.ucar.edu/events/indo_us/PDFs/0701_Krishnamurti_NCAR05.pdf

Arindam Chakraborty ; T.N. Krishnamurti ; Florida State University (United States)

Published by: FSU ; 2006

Several modeling studies have shown that the south Asian monsoon region has the lowest skill for seasonal forecasts compared with many other domains of the world. This paper demonstrates that a multimodel synthetic superensemble approach, when constructed with any set of coupled atmosphere-ocean models, can provide improved skill in seasonal climate prediction compared with single-member models or their ensemble mean for the south Asian summer monsoon region. However, performance of the superensemble tends to improve when a better set of input member models are used. As many as 13 state-of-the-art coupled atmosphere-ocean models were used in the synthetic superensemble algorithm. The merit of this technique lies in assigning differential weights to the member models. The rms errors, anomaly correlations, case studies of extreme events, and probabilistic skill scores are used here to assess these forecast skills. It was found that over the south Asian region the seasonal forecasts from the superensemble are, in general, superior to the forecasts of the individual member models, and their bias-removed ensemble mean at a significance level of 95% or more (based on a Student's t test) during the 13 yr of forecasts. Moreover, the skill of the superensemble was found to be better than those of the ensemble mean over smaller domains as well as during extreme events that were monitored, especially during the switch on and off of the Indian Ocean dipole, which seems to modulate the Indian monsoon rainfall. The results of this paper suggest that the superensemble provides somewhat consistent forecasts on the seasonal time scale. This methodology needs to be tested for real-time seasonal climate forecasting over the south Asian region.

Language(s): English

Format: Digital (Free) (ill., charts, maps)

Tags: Oceans ; Seasonal forecast ; Monsoon ; National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (NMHS) ; Coupled atmosphere/ocean models ; South East Asia Add tag

No review, please log in to add yours !

VOLTA-HYCOS Project, Sub-component of the AOC-Hycos Project : Project document

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) - WMO, 2006

This document presents the framework for the implementation of the hydrological observing system of the Volta River Basin, called Volta-HYCOS. It was prepared on the basis of a draft document written in 2003 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), with the assistance of IRD (French Institute of Research and Development) under the new strategy adopted by the WMO to execute the West and Central Africa AOC) – HYCOS project in components corresponding to large river basins in the sub-region.

English, French

 VOLTA-HYCOS Project, Sub-component of the AOC-Hycos Project: Project document

  Available online: Full text

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Published by: WMO ; 2006

This document presents the framework for the implementation of the hydrological observing system of the Volta River Basin, called Volta-HYCOS. It was prepared on the basis of a draft document written in 2003 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), with the assistance of IRD (French Institute of Research and Development) under the new strategy adopted by the WMO to execute the West and Central Africa AOC) – HYCOS project in components corresponding to large river basins in the sub-region.

Language(s): English; Other Languages: French

Format: Digital (Free)

Tags: World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS) ; Region I - Africa ; West Africa ; Central Africa ; Hydrological cycle ; Volta-HYCOS Add tag

Translated under the title

 Projet Volta-HYCOS s/composante du projet AOC-HYCOS : Project document (2006)

No review, please log in to add yours !

GCOS, 106. Report of the GCOS Regional Workshop for the Mediterranean Basin on Improving Observing Systems for Climate

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); et al. - WMO, 2006 (WMO/TD-No. 1337)

English, French

 Report of the GCOS Regional Workshop for the Mediterranean Basin on Improving Observing Systems for Climate

  Available online: Full text

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Environment Programme ; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission ; Global Environment Facility ; United Nations Environment Programme

Event: GCOS Regional Workshop for the Mediterranean Basin on Improving Observing Systems for Climate (22-24 November 2005; Marrakech, Morocco)

Published by: WMO, IOC ; 2006

Collection(s) and Series: WMO/TD- No. 1337; GCOS- No. 106

Language(s): English; Other Languages: French

Format: Digital (Free), Hard copy

Tags: Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) ; Capacity development ; Region VI - Europe ; Mediterranean Sea ; North Africa ; Region I - Africa Add tag

Translated under the title

 Rapport de l’atelier régional sur le Système Mondial d’Observation du Climat pour le bassin méditerranéen (2006)

No review, please log in to add yours !

Up in smoke? Latin America and the Caribbean the threat from climate change to the environment and human development

New Economics Foundation, 2006

This report is an in depth analysis of the impacts of changes wrought by climate change and anthropogenic factors in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and the responses of the communities, organisations and governments to these changes. Data on the economic and social impact of climate associated natural disasters such as hurricanes and droughts is presented for countries affected. Besides the negative impacts however, numerous case studies are shared in which local success stories are demonstrated. The overall theme of the document is one of adaptation with strong emphasis on the need for ...

English

 Up in smoke? Latin America and the Caribbean the threat from climate change to the environment and human development

  Available online: http://www.panda.org/downloads/upinsmoke_lac.pdf

Published by: New Economics Foundation ; 2006

This report is an in depth analysis of the impacts of changes wrought by climate change and anthropogenic factors in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and the responses of the communities, organisations and governments to these changes. Data on the economic and social impact of climate associated natural disasters such as hurricanes and droughts is presented for countries affected. Besides the negative impacts however, numerous case studies are shared in which local success stories are demonstrated. The overall theme of the document is one of adaptation with strong emphasis on the need for developed countries to accept responsibility for their actions while also assisting developing nations in these adaptation efforts.

Language(s): English

Format: Digital (Free)

Tags: Climate ; Climate change ; Environment and landscape ; Social and Economic development ; Adaptation ; Latin America ; Caribbean ; Region IV - North America, Central America and the Caribbean Add tag

No review, please log in to add yours !

Effects of climate change in developing countries : latest science from the Hadley Centre

Sanderson Michael G.; Smith F.; Pope V. - The Met.Office, 2006

Future climate change will affect water supplies and food production. There will also be a wide range of other impacts, such as coastal flooding, increased heat related mortality, and loss of important ecosystems. In this report we present several new results.

English

Permalink

Meteorological and hydrological education and training for disaster prevention and mitigation : SYMET-X, abstracts

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) - WMO, 2006

English; French; Spanish

Permalink

Making integrated flood management : part of the development agenda

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Global Water Partnership (GWP); Associated Programme on Flood Management (APFM) - WMO, 2006

Our planet’s water resources are vital for sustainable development. Floods play a major role in replenishing freshwater resources, recharging wetlands and groundwater and supporting agriculture and fishery systems, thereby making flood plains preferred areas for human settlement and various economic activities. Flood plains are subjected to periodic inundation by the smaller and more frequent floods that also provide nutrition to fertile agricultural lands, supporting livelihoods of riparian communities. Occasionally, however, floods have negative impacts on lives, livelihoods and economic act ...

English

Permalink

AGM, 09. Strengthening Operational Agrometeorological Services at the National Level : proceedings

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Motha Raymond P.; Sivakumar Mannava V.K.; et al. - WMO, 2006 (WMO/TD-No. 1277)

English

Permalink

Projet Volta-HYCOS s/composante du projet AOC-HYCOS : Project document

Organisation météorologique mondiale (OMM) - OMM, 2006

Le présent document présente le cadre de mise en oeuvre du projet Volta-HYCOS, Système d’observation hydrologique du bassin de la Volta. Ce document a été élaboré sur la base du document de projet provisoire préparé en 2003 par l’Organisation Mondiale de la Météo (OMM) avec l’assistance technique de l’Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), selon la nouvelle stratégie adoptée par l’OMM de développement du projet AOC-HYCOS (Afrique de l’Ouest et Centrale) par grands bassins versants.

French, English

Permalink

N°27 - Juillet 2005 - Aéronautique: les transports aériens

is an issue of Atmosphériques. Météo France, 2005

French

Permalink

GCOS, 97. Report of the GCOS Regional Workshop for South and Southwest Asia on Improving Observing Systems for Climate

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); et al. - WMO, 2005 (WMO/TD-No. 1259)

English

Permalink

GCOS, 94. Report of the GCOS Regional Workshop for Central Asia on Improving Observing Systems for Climate

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); International Council for Science (ICSU); et al. - WMO, 2005 (WMO/TD-No. 1248)

English, Russian

Permalink

GCOS, 100. Report of the GCOS Regional Workshop for Eastern and Central Europe on Improving Observing Systems for Climate.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); et al. - WMO, 2005 (WMO/TD-No. 1283)

English

Permalink

The Aral Sea: Water, Climate and Enviromnental Change in Central Asia

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) - WMO, 2005 (WMO-No. 982)

The situation in and around the Aral Sea is one of the worst human-made environmental crises of the 20th century. This book reveals the history behind this slow-onset, creeping environmental problem and hopes to help prevent similar situations in future.

English, Russian

Permalink

Аральское море: водные проблемы, климат и изменение окружающей среды в Центральной Азии

BMO, 2005 (BMO-No. 982)

Russian, English

Permalink

ГСНК, 94. Отчет регионального семинара ГСНК для центральной азии по улучшению систем наблюдений за климатом

Всемирная Метеорологическая Организация (BMO); Программа ООН по окружающей среде (ЮНЕП); Международного совета по науке (ICSU); et al. - BMO, 2005 (ВMO/TД-No. 1248)

Russian, English

Permalink

Executive Council Advisory Group on Climate and Environment: fifth session

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) - WMO, 2004

English

Permalink

Forecasting El Niño - Science's Gift to the Twenty First Century: Latin America

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) - WMO, 2004

English, Spanish

Permalink

Agricultural Meteorology Programme (AgMP), 95. User Requirements for Satellite and Other Remote-Sensing Information in the Field of Agricultural Meteorology

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Diagne G.B.; Labo M.; et al. - WMO, 2004 (WMO/TD-No. 1230)

This report presents the current remote sensing technology that is applicable to the field of agricultural meteorology. The information presented is applicable for monitoring and assessment of agricultural crops and grasslands and their impact on agricultural production at regional and national levels. The remote sensing technology is accessible to both developed and developing countries and the cost for acquiring the imageries and data from orbiting and geostationary satellite systems have been reduced over the past decade. Some of the imagery is now available without cost to the global user ...

English

Permalink

Guidelines strategic planning and management of water resources

United Nations, 2004

At its nineteenth special session in 1997, the General Assembly called for the initiation of a strategic approach for the implementation of all aspects of the sustainable use of fresh water for social and economic purposes, including safe drinking water and sanitation, water for irrigation, recycling, and wastewater management, and the important role fresh water plays in natural ecosystems. Since then, the promotion and development of strategic planning and management methodologies of water resources have become a major focus of regional cooperation in the programme of work of ESCAP. In that c ...

English

Permalink

La predicción de El Niño: el aporte de la ciencia al siglo XXI - América Latina

Organización Meteorológica Mundial (OMM) - OMM, 2004

Spanish, English

Permalink

GCOS, 85. Rapport de l’atelier régional sur le Système Mondial d’Observation du Climat en Afrique Occidentale et Centrale

Organisation météorologique mondiale (OMM); Programme des Nations Unies pour l'environnement (PNUE); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); et al. - OMM, 2003

French, English

Permalink

Statement at the Sixth Meeting of the Directors of Meteorological Services of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Member States

Obasi G.O.P; World Meteorological Organization (WMO) - WMO, 2003 (SG's lectures, speeches, statements-No. 203)

English, French

Permalink

GCOS, 85. Report of the GCOS Regional Workshop for Western and Central Africa on Improving Observing Systems for Climate

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); et al. - WMO, 2003 (WMO/TD-No. 1167)

English, French

Permalink