Suitability of different data sources in rainfall pattern characterization in the tropical central highlands of Kenya
Uncertainty in rainfall pattern has put rain-fed agriculture in jeopardy, even for the regions considered high rainfall potential like the Central Highlands of Kenya (CHK). The rainfall pattern in the CHK is spatially and temporally variable in terms of onset and cessation dates, frequency and occur...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020322180 |
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| author | Oduor O. Nathan Ngetich K. Felix Kiboi N. Milka Muriuki Anne Adamtey Noah Mugendi N. Daniel |
| author_facet | Oduor O. Nathan Ngetich K. Felix Kiboi N. Milka Muriuki Anne Adamtey Noah Mugendi N. Daniel |
| author_sort | Oduor O. Nathan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Uncertainty in rainfall pattern has put rain-fed agriculture in jeopardy, even for the regions considered high rainfall potential like the Central Highlands of Kenya (CHK). The rainfall pattern in the CHK is spatially and temporally variable in terms of onset and cessation dates, frequency and occurrence of dry spells, and seasonal distribution. Appraisal of the variability is further confounded by the lack of sufficient observational data that can enable accurate characterisation of the rainfall pattern in the region. We, therefore, explored the utilisation of satellite daily rainfall estimates from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for rainfall pattern characterisation in the CHK. Observed daily rainfall data sourced from Kenya meteorological department were used as a reference point. The observation period was from 1997 to 2015. Rainfall in the CHK was highly variable, fairly distributed and with low intensity in all the seasons. Onset dates ranged between mid-February to mid-March and mid-August to mid-October for long rains (LR) and short rains (SR) seasons, respectively. Cessation dates ranged from late May to mid-June and mid-December to late December for the LR and SR, respectively. There was a high probability (93%) of dry spell occurrence. More research needs to be done on efficient use of the available soil moisture and on drought tolerant crop varieties to reduce the impact of drought on crop productivity. Comparison between satellite and observed rain gauge data showed close agreement at monthly scale than at daily scale, with general agreement between the two datasets. Hence, we concluded that, given the availability, accessibility, frequency of estimation and spatial resolution, satellite estimates can complement observed rain gauge data. Stakeholders in the fields of agriculture, natural resource management, environment among others, can utilise the findings of this study in planning to reduce rainfall-related risks and enhance food security. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T17:08:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-63f10fe1565545bbbada23666f2ac374 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T17:08:05Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj.art-63f10fe1565545bbbada23666f2ac3742022-12-21T18:19:08ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402020-10-01610e05375Suitability of different data sources in rainfall pattern characterization in the tropical central highlands of KenyaOduor O. Nathan0Ngetich K. Felix1Kiboi N. Milka2Muriuki Anne3Adamtey Noah4Mugendi N. Daniel5Department of Land and Water Management, University of Embu, P.O. Box 6-60100, Embu, Kenya; Corresponding author.Department of Land and Water Management, University of Embu, P.O. Box 6-60100, Embu, KenyaDepartment of Land and Water Management, University of Embu, P.O. Box 6-60100, Embu, KenyaNational Agricultural Research Laboratories Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization P.O. Box 14733-00800, Nairobi, KenyaResearch Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), P.O. Box 219-5070 Frick, SwitzerlandDepartment of Agricultural Resource Management, University of Embu, P.O. Box 6-60100, Embu 14733-00800, Nairobi, KenyaUncertainty in rainfall pattern has put rain-fed agriculture in jeopardy, even for the regions considered high rainfall potential like the Central Highlands of Kenya (CHK). The rainfall pattern in the CHK is spatially and temporally variable in terms of onset and cessation dates, frequency and occurrence of dry spells, and seasonal distribution. Appraisal of the variability is further confounded by the lack of sufficient observational data that can enable accurate characterisation of the rainfall pattern in the region. We, therefore, explored the utilisation of satellite daily rainfall estimates from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for rainfall pattern characterisation in the CHK. Observed daily rainfall data sourced from Kenya meteorological department were used as a reference point. The observation period was from 1997 to 2015. Rainfall in the CHK was highly variable, fairly distributed and with low intensity in all the seasons. Onset dates ranged between mid-February to mid-March and mid-August to mid-October for long rains (LR) and short rains (SR) seasons, respectively. Cessation dates ranged from late May to mid-June and mid-December to late December for the LR and SR, respectively. There was a high probability (93%) of dry spell occurrence. More research needs to be done on efficient use of the available soil moisture and on drought tolerant crop varieties to reduce the impact of drought on crop productivity. Comparison between satellite and observed rain gauge data showed close agreement at monthly scale than at daily scale, with general agreement between the two datasets. Hence, we concluded that, given the availability, accessibility, frequency of estimation and spatial resolution, satellite estimates can complement observed rain gauge data. Stakeholders in the fields of agriculture, natural resource management, environment among others, can utilise the findings of this study in planning to reduce rainfall-related risks and enhance food security.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020322180Agricultural sciencesHydrologyRainfall characterizationRainfall onsetRainfall cessationSatellite estimates |
| spellingShingle | Oduor O. Nathan Ngetich K. Felix Kiboi N. Milka Muriuki Anne Adamtey Noah Mugendi N. Daniel Suitability of different data sources in rainfall pattern characterization in the tropical central highlands of Kenya Heliyon Agricultural sciences Hydrology Rainfall characterization Rainfall onset Rainfall cessation Satellite estimates |
| title | Suitability of different data sources in rainfall pattern characterization in the tropical central highlands of Kenya |
| title_full | Suitability of different data sources in rainfall pattern characterization in the tropical central highlands of Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Suitability of different data sources in rainfall pattern characterization in the tropical central highlands of Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Suitability of different data sources in rainfall pattern characterization in the tropical central highlands of Kenya |
| title_short | Suitability of different data sources in rainfall pattern characterization in the tropical central highlands of Kenya |
| title_sort | suitability of different data sources in rainfall pattern characterization in the tropical central highlands of kenya |
| topic | Agricultural sciences Hydrology Rainfall characterization Rainfall onset Rainfall cessation Satellite estimates |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020322180 |
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