Land surface phenology of Africa, its drivers and relationship with climate variability

Abstract

The study of vegetation phenology is very important because it is a sensitive indicator of climate changes. In the last few decades, phenological studies have focussed on using satellite sensor data because of it benefits. Nevertheless, despite being home to the second-largest area of rainforest and wetlands, and the largest area of savanna in the world with a diverse range of vegetation types, Africa is still one of the most poorly studied regions in the world. Very little is known about its vegetation phenology and it drivers. Hence, this study aimed (i) to identify major research gaps by providing a synthesis of studies of related Africa’s vegetation phenology and classify them based on the methods and techniques used (ii) to provide seasonal vegetation phenological pattern of the major land cover types in different geographical sub-regions in Africa using medium spatial resolution data (iii) to understand the recent trends in Africa’s vegetation phenology over the period 2001 – 2015 (iv) to understand the influence of land cover changes on LSP trends and (v) to investigate the relationship between vegetation phenological pattern and climatic factors. Significant increases in the number of phenological studies in the last decade were observed, mostly remote sensing, whereas ground based studies occurred rarely in the continent. Even more evident was the lack of phenological networks in the continent. In addition, a more detailed and up-to-date characterisation of Africa’s LSP was reported. Furthermore, longer vegetation growing season and the influence of land cover changes were observed. Relating to the climate-LSP relationships, this study showed a wider spread of pre-rain green-up over Africa than previously reported and the localised post-rain green-up. The major climatic drivers of LSP parameters in the continent was also reported. In general, therefore, these results alongside recommendations can significantly improve our understanding of vegetation-climate interactions, and ultimately improve vegetation phenological and climatic studies in Africa.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Jadunandan Dash: orcid.org/0000-0002-5444-2109

ORCID for Peter Atkinson: orcid.org/0000-0002-5489-6880

Catalogue record

Export record