Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Drought history and vegetation response in the Angolan Highlands. |
| Authors: |
Lourenco, Mauro1,2 (AUTHOR), Woodborne, Stephan1,3 (AUTHOR), Fitchett, Jennifer M.1 (AUTHOR) Jennifer.Fitchett@wits.ac.za |
| Source: |
Theoretical & Applied Climatology. Jan2023, Vol. 151 Issue 1/2, p115-131. 17p. 2 Color Photographs, 4 Charts, 3 Graphs, 1 Map. |
| Subject Terms: |
*DROUGHTS, *MODIS (Spectroradiometer), *NORMALIZED difference vegetation index, *SOUTHERN oscillation |
| Abstract: |
Drought negatively impacts health systems, agriculture, economies, energy, and the natural environment. The vulnerability of the Angolan Highlands rural communities that are dependent on rain-fed agriculture is a concern due to the prospect of climate change and the trajectory of increasing frequency of droughts in the region. The Angolan Highlands is an essential source water region for the Okavango Delta, and southern Africa more broadly. This study integrates Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) and vegetation indices from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) in the first historical assessment of drought in the Angolan Highlands. Using the standardized precipitation index (SPI), eight distinct drought periods were identified: 1981–1982, 1989–1990, 1994, 1995–1997, 1999–2000, 2014–2016, 2017–2018, and 2018–2020, with the frequency of drought increasing since 1981. The relationship between drought occurrence and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is not linear; with two of the eight drought periods occurred exclusively during El Niño years. The seasonality of precipitation, MODIS enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are similar, with NDVI and EVI being lowest at the end of the dry winter months (August), and highest during the summer rainfall season. The strong relationship between precipitation and vegetation, anthropogenic pressure on the landscape, and increased drought occurrence are likely to lead to potential environmental degradation in future. Mitigation and adaptation strategies to drought may be required, especially concerning water resources and agricultural practices within the Angolan Highlands region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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