Keywords

Drought; desertification; floods; climate; ENSO; satellite observations; GIS; disaster management; weather modification; open-source; geomatics

Abstarct

Satellite imagery and in situ data processed in a geographic information system offer perspectives on Africa's climate. Areas of relatively high precipitable water vapour extend more widely than areas of high precipitation, suggesting that improved weather modification (e. g. stimulating precipitation) might benefit desertification mitigation efforts. Processed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data offer perspectives on the current state of desertification risk. The Vegetation Condition Index, used with compilations of environmental associations with ENSO, and with ENSO and weather forecasts, offer tools for agricultural, water resources and public health managers to respond to drought. Finally, evolving capabilities in satellite observations of flooding, global and regional digital elevation data, geomatics software, and regional cooperative mechanisms, offer tools for improved flood management.

INTRODUCTION

Africa's climate has been summarized many times in the past; it is not the purpose of this effort to repeat such exercises. Instead, this chapter uses scientific geographic information systems (GIS) to focus on aspects of climate parameters related to drought, desertification risk, and flooding. Such approaches deserve more widespread attention by those attempting to respond to climate change, including decision makers that must set national policy, or to build national or regional capacity responding to these issues. This chapter draws on significant progress over the last decade in compiling spatial environmental data, such as the Global Ecosystems Database (NOAA-EPA Global Ecosystems Database Project (1992)).