Research Article
Flood Dynamics in the Outskirts of Greater Lome (Togo)
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
101-113
Received:
28 April 2026
Accepted:
14 May 2026
Published:
29 May 2026
Abstract: This study analyzes flood dynamics in the Greater Lome area based on remote sensing and hydrometeorological data analysis. Daily rainfall data from the Lome-Airport synoptic station (2016 and 2020) were collected from the National Meteorological Agency of Togo (ANAMET) during the rainy season (March to October). Daily water levels in the Zio River at Togblekope were collected from the General Directorate of Hydraulics (DGH) during the rainy season (March to October) for the years 2016 and 2020. The time series were subjected to homogeneity tests to identify any artificial breaks in the data collected using RHtests dlyPrcp software. Radar data were processed using SNAP software, while maps were processed in ArcGIS 10.5. During 2016, a peak of 1,608 ha, corresponding to the maximum flooded area, was reached on August 24. At the start of the season, 40.29% of the maximum flooded area was submerged. In 2016, the population was therefore faced with at least thirty consecutive days of rising water levels. Not all districts were affected equally by the floods in 2016. The districts of Abobo, Djagble, and Be-Est were the most severely affected. The intra-annual dynamics of 2020 are similar to those of 2016. During 2020, the peak of 930 ha corresponding to the maximum flooded area was reached on September 2. At the beginning of the season, on June 16, only 11% of the maximum flooded area was submerged. All cantons were unevenly affected by the floods in 2020. The cantons of Abobo, Akepe, Mission Tove, Davie, and Adetikope were the most affected by the phenomenon. The results show a 45% decrease in flooded areas between 2016 and 2020, with a peak of 1,608 hectares reached on August 24, 2016, compared to 930 hectares on September 2, 2020, reflecting earlier and more intense flooding in 2016.
Abstract: This study analyzes flood dynamics in the Greater Lome area based on remote sensing and hydrometeorological data analysis. Daily rainfall data from the Lome-Airport synoptic station (2016 and 2020) were collected from the National Meteorological Agency of Togo (ANAMET) during the rainy season (March to October). Daily water levels in the Zio River ...
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Research Article
The Study of Soil Temperature Variations and Thermal Diffusivity in Wet and Dry Seasons at Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Emenike Nwaokoro*
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
114-119
Received:
7 May 2026
Accepted:
21 May 2026
Published:
29 May 2026
Abstract: Soil temperature is the temperature of the soil at different depths beneath the soil surface and does not only indicate climate change. Agricultural practices are strongly impacted by soil temperature making it a very important variable for soil conditions. Thermal diffusivity is the ratio of thermal conductivity to volumetric heat capacity. It tells how materials conduct thermal energy relative to how they store thermal energy. Soil temperature is strongly affected by thermal diffusivity. Therefore the purpose of this study is to investigate soil temperature variations and thermal diffusivity during the wet and dry seasons in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Soil temperature data at depths of 5 cm, 10 cm, and 30 cm were obtained from the Nigeria Mesoscale Experiment (NIMEX) site for the period July to December 2006, covering both wet (July–September) and dry (October–December) seasons. Thermal diffusivity was estimated using the Horton numerical method. Results show clear seasonal and depth-dependent variations in soil temperature, with lower temperatures recorded during the wet season due to increased soil moisture and cloud cover, and higher temperatures during the dry season associated with reduced moisture and increased solar radiation. Temperature amplitude decreased with depth, indicating attenuation of surface thermal signals. Thermal diffusivity exhibited significant variability, with maximum values recorded in September and minimum (including negative) values also occurring within the wet season. The negative diffusivity values are attributed to rapid temporal temperature fluctuations linked to soil moisture dynamics and the sensitivity of the numerical method used. Overall, the study highlights the strong influence of seasonal climatic conditions and soil moisture on soil thermal regimes in tropical environments.
Abstract: Soil temperature is the temperature of the soil at different depths beneath the soil surface and does not only indicate climate change. Agricultural practices are strongly impacted by soil temperature making it a very important variable for soil conditions. Thermal diffusivity is the ratio of thermal conductivity to volumetric heat capacity. It tel...
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Research Article
Analysis of Onset, Cessation, and Length of the Growing Season and Its Implication for Agricultural Production in Uromi, Edo State
Perpetua Nkeiruka Oby Iyere-Usiahon*,
Onyilo Desmond Onyilo
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
120-129
Received:
6 May 2026
Accepted:
21 May 2026
Published:
10 June 2026
Abstract: Irregular rainfall limits adequate crop production within the Uromi in south – south agroecological zone of Nigeria. This study was carried out to analyse the rainfall pattern, onset and cessation of rainy season including the length of growing season for agricultural production in Uromi, Edo state. Secondary data collected from NiMET maproom for the period 1991 – 2024 were used. The result revealed a variation in rainfall pattern in the area which led to variation in onset and cessation of rainfall including length of growing season. A very high variability in the onset of rain was observed with a CV of 95%, cessation has a CV of 30.67% indicating a high variability while length of growing season has a low variability with a CV of 3.88%. The trend analysis shows that onset of the rainy season has a negative trend of y = -0.1329x + 9.8556 with an R-squared value of 0.0304. A positive trend was observed for cessation of rain with a best fit line equation y = 0.1134x + 13.369 and a low R2 of 0.0605 which is discernible trend in the data. The length of growing season has a positive slope (y = 0.2527x + 217.7) and an R2 of 0.0853. The observed trend in the area may have been triggered off by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. This information is very important to farmers in Uromi in deciding on crop types to be cultivated and on planning sowing dates as a function of observed onset dates. The study recommend Farmers should change/shift their planting period to appropriate time since the onset date has changed in order to avoid crop damage at the early stage, Government should provide the farmers with early matured crop and improved crop varieties, mitigation/adaptation action is highly needed in order to cope with the problem.
Abstract: Irregular rainfall limits adequate crop production within the Uromi in south – south agroecological zone of Nigeria. This study was carried out to analyse the rainfall pattern, onset and cessation of rainy season including the length of growing season for agricultural production in Uromi, Edo state. Secondary data collected from NiMET maproom for t...
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