Field and simulation experiments for investigating regional land-atmosphere interactions in West Africa: Experimental set-up and first results

Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/ReportConference contributionContributed

Contributors

  • Jan Bliefernicht - , Augsburg University (Author)
  • Harald Kunstmann - , Augsburg University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Luitpold Hingerl - , Augsburg University (Author)
  • Thomas Rummler - , Augsburg University (Author)
  • Sabine Andresen - , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Matthias Mauder - , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Rainer Steinbrecher - , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Author)
  • René Frieß - , Augsburg University (Author)
  • David Gochis - , National Center for Atmospheric Research (Author)
  • Ursula Gessner - , German Aerospace Center (DLR) (Author)
  • Emmanuel Quensah - , Federal University of Technology, Akure (Author)
  • Ayoola Awotuse - , Federal University of Technology, Akure (Author)
  • Frank Neidl - , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Carsten Jahn - , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Boubacar Barry - , International Water Management Institute in Africa (Author)

Abstract

West Africa is characterized by strong land surface changes due to various anthropogenic activities which influence the spatiotemporal patterns of hydro-meteorological fluxes and which might alter the availability of water resources. To investigate these questions, we use a novel two-way coupled atmospheric-hydrological model that allows for a consistent and dynamic simulation of regional land-atmosphere interactions in mesoscale river basins. This model is adapted stepwise for the West African Sudanian Savannah, focusing on a main tributary of the White Volta. In addition, the experimental set-up of three micro-meteorological stations using the eddy covariance technique is illustrated; they have been recently established in this region along a gradient of increasing agricultural activity. First measurements and simulation outcomes from the adaption of the atmospheric model are promising, but further model adaptation is crucial for a reliable simulation of surface fluxes on a daily or finer temporal scale.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationClimate and Land Surface Changes in Hydrology - Proceedings of Symposium H01
PublisherIAHS Press
Pages226-232
Number of pages7
ISBN (print)9781907161377
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Peer-reviewedNo
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

SeriesIAHS-AISH Proceedings and Reports
Volume359
ISSN0144-7815

Conference

Title2013 International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) Symposium on Climate and Land Surface Changes in Hydrology
Duration22 - 26 July 2013
CityGothenburg
CountrySweden

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-8789-163X/work/168718968

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Coupled atmospheric-hydrological simulations, Eddy covariance stations, Hydro-meteorological fluxes, Land surface model, Land-atmosphere interactions, Precipitation, Weather Research and Forecasting model, West Africa