GLOBE Program:Benin
| Author(s): | Mr. Yllias Lawai, Ms. Vicentia Amoussou, Mr. Claude Singbo |
| School: | Lycee Behanzin in Porto-Novo Oueme Benin |
| Grade/Age Level: | not specified |
| GLOBE Teacher: | Alidjennatou Aliou Emmanuel |
| Partner Schools: | CEG Gbegamey in Cotonou LITTO Benin |
| Partner Students: | Vicentia Amoussou, Claude Singbo |
| Date Submitted: | Juli 30, 1998 |
Summary
GLOBE students in Benin are using GLOBE data to determine if desertification and global warming are taking place.Report:
Abstract
Hypothesis
Benin is a small country in sub Saharan West Africa. Among the many environmental issues that the country faces is desertification and a concern about global warming. To address these issues, GLOBE students in Benin are using GLOBE data to determine if desertification and global warming are taking place. Specifically, three students and one GLOBE teacher will present GLOBE atmospheric data from two schools - High School of Lokossa , Lokossa and Lycee Behanzin, Porto Novo. Both of these schools are located in southern Benin.
ResearchMethod
DataSummary
GLOBE Atmospheric Data:
Atmospheric Temperature
Lokossa
1996
Average Maximum temperature: 33.04C
Average Minimum temperature: 24.3C
Average temperature: 28.68C
Warmest month: March - 30.4C
Coolest month: August - 26.7C
1997
Average Maximum temperature: 33.04C
Average Minimum temperature: 24.19C
Average temperature: 28.62C
Warmest month: February - 30.2C
Coolest month: August - 26.7C
Porto- Novo
1996
Average Maximum temperature: 31. 3C
Average Minimum temperature: 26.8C
Average temperature: 29.15C
Warmest month: March - 31. 3 C
Coolest month: August - 26.9C
1997
Average Maximum temperature: 32.95C
Average Minimum temperature: 24.49C
Average temperature: 28.71C
Warmest month: February - 30.4C
Coolest month: August - 26.9C
Rainfall:
Lokossa
1996
Total rainfall: 1215.9mm normal - 1250mm
Rainiest month: June - 304mm
driest month: December - 3.6mm
Total number of months with rain - 11
1997
Total rainfall: 1232.5mm normal - 1250mm
Rainiest month: June - 280.8mm
Driest month: December - 00.4mm
Total number of months with rain - 11
Porto-Novo
1996
Total rainfall: 1052.8mm normal - 1250mm
Rainiest month: June - 223mm
driest month: February - 3mm
Total number of months with rain - 10
1997
Total rainfall: 1424.5mm normal - 1250mm
Rainiest month: June - 472mm
Driest month: January - 10mm
Analysis
Conclusions
1. 1997 was slightly cooler and wetter than 1996 in both Lokossa and Porto Novo. Of all the parameters, the month with the least precipitation varied the most - ranging from December through February. In 1996 in Lokossa the month with the least rain was December, whereas in 1997 it was February. In 1996 in Porto-Novo the month with the least precipitation was February whereas it was January in 1996.
2. The onset of El Nino could have been a factor in the atmospheric variations between 1996 and 1997.
2. Two years worth of data is not enough to determine long term weather patterns and trends. We need to continue collecting GLOBE data over the next few years to be able to see trends that will give us a better understanding of weather patterns and conditions in Benin, and therefore a better understanding of desertification in West Africa.
3. Although there were no drastic differences between the GLOBE atmospheric data from 1996 - 1997, one observation that can be made based upon the data (in conjunction with general weather observations) is that weather patterns are becoming more difficult to predict in Benin. This has had a detrimental effect on the country''s farmers and overall agricultural industry. As a result, there have been recent food shortages.
Discussion
Bibliography