Spatiotemporal trends in daily observed precipitation, river discharge, maximum and minimum temperature data were investigated between 1971 and 2013 in the Komadugu-Yobe basin. Significant change points in time series are corrected using Adapted Caussinus-Mestre Algorithm for homogenizing Networks of Temperature series algorithm. Mann–Kendall test and Sen's slope are used to estimate the trend and its magnitude at dry, wet and annual season time scales, respectively. Preliminary results show an increasing trend of the observed variables. There is a latitudinal increase (decrease) in the basin temperature (precipitation) from lower to higher latitudes. The minimum temperature (0.05 °C/year) increases faster than the maximum temperature (0.03 °C/year). Overall, the percentage changes in minimum temperature range between 3 and 10% while that of maximum temperature ranges between 1 and 3%. Due to precipitation dependence on regional characteristics, the highest percentage change was recorded in precipitation with values between −5 and 97%. In all time scales, river discharge and precipitation have strong positive correlations while the correlation between river discharge and temperature is negative. It is imperative to advocate and support positive developmental practices as well as establishing necessary mitigation measures to cope with the effects of climate in the basin.

The effects of global warming and climate change on the environment cannot be underemphasized. This has generated considerable interest among scientists and has resulted in various studies in climate trend detection at regional (Khatiwada et al. 2016 in the Nepal Himalaya) and global scales (Trenberth & Shea 2005). Global climate warming is principally attributed to the significant rise in air temperature (IPCC 2013). As a result of increasing temperature, the intensity and frequency of extreme climate events such as drought and flood are likely to increase (IPCC 2013). This could induce extreme hydrological events such as extreme river discharge, thereby affecting the hydrological cycle.

For the California drought (2012–2014), Mao et al. (2015) reported that warmer temperatures greatly influence river discharge while Williams et al. (2015) stated that increasing temperature escalates drought conditions. Over the Colorado basin, Vano et al. (2012) reported that warmer temperatures reduce the discharge from the Colorado River. Conversely, Reynolds et al. (2015) reported that the drying frequencies of intermittent streams in that basin are caused by changes occurring in both temperature and precipitation.

At a regional scale, significant correlations have been observed between monthly mean temperature and precipitation in Europe and North America (Madden & Williams 1978). This relationship has been extended on a global scale which establishes that high maximum temperatures are accompanied by dry conditions (Trenberth & Shea 2005). Results from Trenberth & Shea (2005) showed a positive correlation between lower temperatures and higher precipitation over the continents in warm seasons. Rusticucci & Penalba (2000) established a positive correlation between warm summers and low precipitation in the north-eastern and central-western parts of Argentina, Paraguay and southern Chile. They further emphasized that cold seasons (June, July and August) exhibit a weak correlation between the variables. Furthermore, they reported a significant and positive correlation between precipitation and temperature in the coastal parts of Chile, especially between May and September as a result of high sea surface temperature which favours convection. Nicholls (2004) reported increased potential evaporation as a result of higher mean values of maximum and minimum temperatures, thereby enhancing the severity of the 2002 Australian drought.

The effect of changes in a basin's precipitation and temperature can often be related to river discharge. However, uncertainties in the trends of hydrometeorological variables as a result of data's temporal limitations, gaps in spatial coverage, change points in the dataset, regional differences and forcing cannot be down-sized (Huntington 2005). For example, after the 1976–1977 climate shift caused by the El-Nino southern oscillation (ENSO), major African rivers have experienced lower river discharges (IPCC 2013).

Attogouinon et al. (2017) attributed the increase in the frequency of flood events in many African countries to climate change. Over Ghana, Neumann et al. (2007) showed an increase of almost 0.3 °C/decade in the near surface temperature during both wet and dry seasons in the past three decades. Likewise, Adeyeri et al. (2019a) noted a significant positive trend in annual total rainfall, number of consecutive dry days, warm spell duration, warm day and warm night frequencies over the Komadugou-Yobe Basin (KYB). They also projected more frequent extreme precipitation and temperature events in the future. Adeyeri et al. (2019b) observed an increasing trend in annual precipitation and river discharge over the KYB between 1971 and 2013. Oyebande (2001) attributed the disruption of the Jama'are and Hadejia river flow of the KYB between 1979 and 1989 to human activities, droughts and evapotranspiration losses, while Adeyeri et al. (2019b) showed that approximately 50% rainfall variability and 50% human activities caused an increase in discharge between 1971 and 2013.

However, the spatiotemporal behaviour of precipitation, river discharge, minimum and maximum temperature depend on the regional and local forcing. In order to proffer solutions to the problems associated with water resources management within the KYB, there is a need to understand the relationship between these variables at the basin's scale.

Therefore, this study seeks to improve the understanding of the relationships in the observed trends of precipitation, maximum air temperature, minimum air temperature and river discharge over the KYB between 1971 and 2013. Our approaches include the detection and correction of inhomogeneity in the hydrometeorological variables, trend analyses at both temporal (monthly, seasonal and annual) and spatial scales, correlation and wavelet analyses among the variables.

The KYB is situated to the south of the Sahara Desert in the Sahelian region of Africa. The elevation of the basin is between 285 and 1,750 m. It has an area cover of 150,000 km2 (Figure 1) which is nearly 35% of the conventional Lake Chad basin. It is drained by the Hadejia and Jama'are rivers (Oyebande 2001). The most prominent water losses in the rivers are by infiltration, but other losses include evaporation and water abstraction (Legros 2009). The average rain season is between May and October. The mean annual precipitation ranges between 300 and 1,200 mm while the mean annual temperature is 29 °C. The climate system in this basin is governed by two main wind systems; the dry season's northeasterly wind which brings sand-dust from the Sahara Desert and the rain season's southeasterly wind which brings moisture from the Atlantic Ocean (Warner 2014). The average annual potential evaporation in the basin ranges between 1,800 mm and 2,400 mm. The basin is characterized by the occurrences of severe drought episodes as well as high climate variability (Thompson & Polet 2000). The KYB is of strategic importance to both national and international communities because of its valuable wetlands. Additionally, some internationally shared waters originate from these wetlands. Besides its contribution to the national and international economy in terms of environmental conservation and agricultural produce, proper management of the basin strengthens the diplomatic relationships among the different countries sharing the Lake Chad Basin (IUCN 2011).

Figure 1

Map of the study area.

Figure 1

Map of the study area.

Close modal

Daily precipitation, river discharge, minimum and maximum temperature data series archived by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Direction de la Météorologie Nationale (DMN) of the Niger Republic and Diffa hydrological station are used for the analysis in this study (Table 1). The period of analysis for this study is between 1971 and 2013.

Table 1

List of assimilated climatic stations

s/nCountryStationLatLongData range
Niger Diffa 13.31 12.61 1979–2013 
Niger Goure 13.98 10.3 1979–2013 
Niger Zinder 13.75 8.98 1971–2013 
Niger Magaria 12.98 8.93 1979–2013 
Niger Maine-Soroa 13.23 11.98 1971–2013 
Nigeria Maiduguri 11.81 13.27 1971–2013 
Nigeria Potiskum 11.86 10.77 1979–2013 
Nigeria Katsina 13 7.53 1971–2013 
Nigeria Kaduna 10.52 7.44 1971–2013 
10 Nigeria Kano 12 8.52 1971–2013 
11 Nigeria Gombe 13.32 11.17 1972–2013 
12 Nigeria Nguru 12.88 10.45 1971–2013 
13 Nigeria Bauchi 10.28 9.7 1971–2013 
14 Nigeria Jos 9.92 8.9 1971–2013 
s/nCountryStationLatLongData range
Niger Diffa 13.31 12.61 1979–2013 
Niger Goure 13.98 10.3 1979–2013 
Niger Zinder 13.75 8.98 1971–2013 
Niger Magaria 12.98 8.93 1979–2013 
Niger Maine-Soroa 13.23 11.98 1971–2013 
Nigeria Maiduguri 11.81 13.27 1971–2013 
Nigeria Potiskum 11.86 10.77 1979–2013 
Nigeria Katsina 13 7.53 1971–2013 
Nigeria Kaduna 10.52 7.44 1971–2013 
10 Nigeria Kano 12 8.52 1971–2013 
11 Nigeria Gombe 13.32 11.17 1972–2013 
12 Nigeria Nguru 12.88 10.45 1971–2013 
13 Nigeria Bauchi 10.28 9.7 1971–2013 
14 Nigeria Jos 9.92 8.9 1971–2013 

The daily climatological time series are quality controlled using the Rclimdex package (Zhang & Yang 2004). During quality control, outliers and negative precipitation values and days with minimum temperature greater than maximum temperature are checked. Missing values from one station's data series (candidate series) are filled by calculating the weighted average of the other network data series' anomalies (partner series) which are later adjusted to the candidate series' climatic mean (Domonkos & Coll 2017). There are no missing data after quality control. For a reliable and consistent climate variability and climate impact study, observational data should be checked and corrected for inhomogeneity (Acquaotta & Fratianni 2014). The Adapted Caussinus-Mestre Algorithm for homogenizing Networks of Temperature series (ACMANT) is used to check and correct the inhomogeneities in the quality controlled time series. A full description of ACMANT set up can be found in Domonkos & Coll (2017). Several studies (e.g., Domonkos & Coll 2017; Adeyeri et al. 2019a) have effectively used ACMANT in homogenizing series. The result evaluation from these studies showed good performances of homogenizing climate series with ACMANT.

The Mann–Kendall (MK) trend test (Khatiwada et al. 2016) and wavelet spectral methods (Veleda et al. 2012) are used in detecting the trend in the time series. The magnitude of the trend is estimated using the Theil and Sen's slope estimator (Khatiwada et al. 2016). The spatial trend is represented using the inverse distance weighted interpolation technique. Precipitation and discharge event return period follows the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution function (Gilleland & Katz 2011). The GEV encompasses three types of extreme value distributions, namely, the Gumbel, Frechet and the reverse Weibull distributions. Its advantage lies in its ability to model maxima over large blocks of a data series (Gilleland & Katz 2011).

Change points detection, step function fitting and homogenization of data series

The Caussinus Lyazrhi criterion (Caussinus & Lyazrhi 1997) and the optimal step function fitting (Domonkos & Coll 2017) are used in ACMANT to optimize break numbers in data series while the break detection incorporates the weighted reference data. The optimal step function minimizes the variance of internal distances and maximizing the variance of external distances (Adeyeri et al. 2019a). The bivariate detection method is used to identify the shifts in annual means (Domonkos & Coll 2017).

To identify the shifts in annual mean:
(1)
The internal distance (d) is given as:
(2)
where U is the operator for generating of time averages, K is the total number of breaks, j1 and j2 is the starting and ending year, k is the serial number of break/step, q is the relative time series, i is the time point, j is the year, c is the empirical constant = 0.2.
To correct the inhomogeneity in data series:
(3)
where HY is the adjustment term, s is the reference series serial number, is an ensemble homogenization serial number, N′ is the total number of usable reference series at a particular step, j is the year, g is a parameter. The details of this method are documented in Domonkos & Coll (2017).

Trend in data series

The trend in the homogenized data series is detected by MK trend test and the wavelet spectral (Veleda et al. 2012). The MK statistic is given as (Khatiwada et al. 2016; Adeyeri et al. 2017a):
(4)
where xj and xk are sequential data values for the time series data of length n. The sum of the Sgn series is defined as:
(5)
The statistic S is approximately normally distributed with the mean E(S) and the variance V(S) can be computed as:
(6)
(7)
where t is the extent of any given tie. Σti denotes the summation over all ties and is only used if the data series contain tied values. The standard normal variate Z is calculated by:
(8)

Positive values of Z indicate a rising trend and negative values show a descending trend.

The wavelet spectral decomposes signals into signal and trends over a time period domain. This is presented as (Veleda et al. 2012):
(9)
where , * is the complex conjugate, is the wavelet, continuous time signal, ‘’ is the shift in time (t), ‘a’ is the scale and is the coefficient of wavelet transform.

Slope test

Theil–Sen's estimator estimates the slope of n pairs of data points (Khatiwada et al. 2016). The magnitude of the trend is calculated as:
(10)
where xj and xk are values at times j and k, respectively. Note, j>k. Qi is a Sen's estimator of the slope which is the median of these N values. If there are n values of xj present in each time period, then:
(11)
where n is the number of time periods. The N values of Qi are ranked by Q1Q2 ⋯ ≤QN-1QN and
(12)
The percentage change is computed by approximating it with a linear trend (Yue & Hashino 2003):
(13)
where m is the median slope, l is the length of the year and q is the mean of data series.

Change point detection

 Table 2 shows the significant change points in precipitation, maximum and minimum temperature, respectively. In Table 2(a), significant change points are located in the precipitation series of Goure in 1999 and Potiskum station in 1994 and 1998, respectively. The other stations have homogenous data series. The maximum temperature time series (Table 2(b)) are inhomogeneous for all stations while 13 stations (except Diffa) are inhomogeneous for minimum temperature time series (Table 2(c)). These change points may be a result of changes in instruments, changes in station location and environment, station network density and structure as well as observation methods (Klein Tank et al. 2009). Other factors may include anthropogenic activities and changes in land use land cover (Adeyeri et al. 2017b; Ige et al. 2017). However, for robust analysis, these change points are corrected using the ACMANT algorithm before further analyses.

Table 2

Change points in data time series at 5% significant level

s/nStationsYearMonthDayChange in mean
(a) Change points in daily precipitation time series 
Goure 1999 31 1.2 
Potiskum 1994 12 0.9 
 1998 10 16 1.6 
(b) Change points in daily maximum temperature time series 
Bauchi 1984 10 31 0.4 
 2012 12 −1.4 
Diffa 1990 31 1.2 
Gombe 1985 31 0.4 
 1994 31 0.6 
 1998 30 −0.8 
 2011 31 −0.7 
Goure 2005 11 30 −1.0 
Jos 2005 11 30 −2.2 
10  2006 30 1.9 
11 Kaduna 1976 12 31 0.5 
12 Kano 1983 11 30 −0.2 
13 Katsina 1976 30 −0.3 
14  1982 31 0.3 
15 Magaria 2006 −1.4 
16  2008 −0.7 
17  2013 11 1.8 
18 Maiduguri 2006 31 0.9 
19  2007 31 −1.1 
20 Maine-Soroa 1978 31 0.5 
21  1982 30 −0.4 
22  1999 30 0.5 
23  2009 31 1.1 
24  2010 12 29 −2.6 
25 Nguru 2011 28 −0.6 
26 Potiskum 2000 −2.3 
27  2005 10 31 0.7 
28 Zinder 1989 30 0.2 
29  2004 31 −2.1 
30  2007 30 0.7 
(c) Change points in daily minimum temperature time series 
Bauchi 1978 31 0.3 
 2003 30 1.0 
 2007 31 −1.6 
 2007 11 30 1.4 
Gombe 2000 12 31 2.6 
 2009 31 −0.6 
Goure 1992 12 31 −1.0 
 1994 30 1.0 
Jos 1978 28 −1.1 
10  1984 31 −0.8 
11 Kaduna 1984 −1.5 
12  1984 11 23 1.5 
13 Kano 1988 31 −0.7 
14  1992 30 0.4 
15  2010 10 31 −0.6 
16 Katsina 1978 30 0.5 
17  1990 12 31 −0.6 
18  1993 17 −1.8 
19  1996 12 31 1.4 
20  2001 31 0.4 
21 Magaria 1996 30 0.7 
22  2000 11 30 −0.8 
23  2005 12 31 1.8 
24 Maiduguri 1982 31 −0.4 
25  1986 31 −0.8 
26  1989 30 0.5 
27  2006 30 0.5 
28 Maine-Soroa 1976 12 31 −0.5 
29  1981 12 31 0.3 
30  1997 31 0.6 
31  2010 31 0.5 
32 Nguru 1981 30 −0.5 
33  1986 12 31 0.5 
34  1998 31 −0.4 
35  2013 30 −1.0 
36 Potiskum 2008 31 −0.2 
37 Zinder 2002 31 −1.2 
38  2008 29 0.5 
s/nStationsYearMonthDayChange in mean
(a) Change points in daily precipitation time series 
Goure 1999 31 1.2 
Potiskum 1994 12 0.9 
 1998 10 16 1.6 
(b) Change points in daily maximum temperature time series 
Bauchi 1984 10 31 0.4 
 2012 12 −1.4 
Diffa 1990 31 1.2 
Gombe 1985 31 0.4 
 1994 31 0.6 
 1998 30 −0.8 
 2011 31 −0.7 
Goure 2005 11 30 −1.0 
Jos 2005 11 30 −2.2 
10  2006 30 1.9 
11 Kaduna 1976 12 31 0.5 
12 Kano 1983 11 30 −0.2 
13 Katsina 1976 30 −0.3 
14  1982 31 0.3 
15 Magaria 2006 −1.4 
16  2008 −0.7 
17  2013 11 1.8 
18 Maiduguri 2006 31 0.9 
19  2007 31 −1.1 
20 Maine-Soroa 1978 31 0.5 
21  1982 30 −0.4 
22  1999 30 0.5 
23  2009 31 1.1 
24  2010 12 29 −2.6 
25 Nguru 2011 28 −0.6 
26 Potiskum 2000 −2.3 
27  2005 10 31 0.7 
28 Zinder 1989 30 0.2 
29  2004 31 −2.1 
30  2007 30 0.7 
(c) Change points in daily minimum temperature time series 
Bauchi 1978 31 0.3 
 2003 30 1.0 
 2007 31 −1.6 
 2007 11 30 1.4 
Gombe 2000 12 31 2.6 
 2009 31 −0.6 
Goure 1992 12 31 −1.0 
 1994 30 1.0 
Jos 1978 28 −1.1 
10  1984 31 −0.8 
11 Kaduna 1984 −1.5 
12  1984 11 23 1.5 
13 Kano 1988 31 −0.7 
14  1992 30 0.4 
15  2010 10 31 −0.6 
16 Katsina 1978 30 0.5 
17  1990 12 31 −0.6 
18  1993 17 −1.8 
19  1996 12 31 1.4 
20  2001 31 0.4 
21 Magaria 1996 30 0.7 
22  2000 11 30 −0.8 
23  2005 12 31 1.8 
24 Maiduguri 1982 31 −0.4 
25  1986 31 −0.8 
26  1989 30 0.5 
27  2006 30 0.5 
28 Maine-Soroa 1976 12 31 −0.5 
29  1981 12 31 0.3 
30  1997 31 0.6 
31  2010 31 0.5 
32 Nguru 1981 30 −0.5 
33  1986 12 31 0.5 
34  1998 31 −0.4 
35  2013 30 −1.0 
36 Potiskum 2008 31 −0.2 
37 Zinder 2002 31 −1.2 
38  2008 29 0.5 

Mean climatology

The monthly analysis of temperature variables (Figure 2) shows the monthly range of maximum and minimum temperature varies from 24 to 41 °C and 11 to 27 °C, respectively. The highest values of maximum temperature are seen from March to June. These months precede the significant rain months and months with high river discharge (Adeyeri et al. 2019b). This may be attributed to the intensification of convective precipitation at high temperatures (Berg et al. 2013), especially in conditions where the ocean drives the atmosphere. For minimum temperature, the highest values are seen from March to October while the lowest values are seen from December to February. Higher values of minimum temperature may be attributed to the formation of stratiform cloud in the mornings (Janiga & Thorncroft 2014). There is also a positive trend in both annual maximum and minimum temperature for the period of study (Figure 3). This temperature increase could reduce the availability of pastures to feed livestock, affect crop yield and intensify the impact of droughts (Hatfield & Prueger 2015). However, the rate of increase in minimum temperature (0.05 °C/year) is higher than the rate of increase in maximum temperature (0.03 °C/year). This is a pointer to more extreme hot temperature events with potential impacts on crop growth and yield (Hatfield & Prueger 2015). For example, minimum temperature affects the respiration rates of plants during the night (Hatfield & Prueger 2011), also, high minimum temperature decreases crop yield and also enhances plants deterioration with age (Hatfield & Prueger 2015).

Figure 2

Temporal distributions of temperature variables over the KYB: (a) maximum temperature (°C), (b) minimum temperature (°C).

Figure 2

Temporal distributions of temperature variables over the KYB: (a) maximum temperature (°C), (b) minimum temperature (°C).

Close modal
Figure 3

Annual trend of maximum and minimum temperature over the KYB between 1971 and 2013; x is year while y is the temperature variables.

Figure 3

Annual trend of maximum and minimum temperature over the KYB between 1971 and 2013; x is year while y is the temperature variables.

Close modal

Temporal and spatial trends

Table 3 presents the result of the temporal trends in discharge, temperature and rainfall time series. The monthly trend shows a non-significant decrease in the trend of discharge for all months except the months of June, July, August and September with Z values of 0.18, 0.12, 0.12 and 0.21, respectively. This was confirmed by Adeyeri et al. (2019b), that the river discharge in these months is between 20 and 100 mm/month while the other months have fewer discharges. The highest positive percentage of change (40%) occurs in September while the highest negative percentage of change (−16%) occurs in the month of March. However, for the seasonal trends, there are significantly increasing trends of discharge in both wet and annual seasons with Z values of 0.2 mm/year and 0.1 mm/year, respectively. The dry season has a non-significant decreasing Z value of −0.07 mm/year. For the precipitation time series, there is a non-significant decreasing trend in May, June and July. However, the highest positive percentage change of 163% is recorded in October while the highest negative percentage change of −53% is recorded in July. The seasonal analysis shows an increasing trend of rainfall for all seasons. There are increasing trends in both minimum and maximum temperature time series for all months and seasons. Nonetheless, the highest trend increase in maximum temperature is seen on the annual scale and in April with Z values of 0.5 and 0.4 °C/year, respectively. Furthermore, the highest percentage of change (6%) is seen in May. For minimum temperature, the highest increase is seen at the annual scale and in July with Z values of 0.7 and 0.6 °C/year, respectively. The highest percentage of change (15%) is seen in the month of November.

Table 3

Trend in basin average discharge and precipitation for monthly, dry, wet and annual seasons

Discharge
Precipitation
Tmax
Tmin
Z%changeZ%changeZ%changeZ%change
Monthly 
 Jan −0.08 −14 0.00 0.13 0.23 12 
 Feb −0.10 −15 0.22 0.11 0.23 13 
 Mar −0.10 −16 0.30 0.24 0.24 
 Apr −0.08 −10 0.13 0.44 0.50 11 
 May −0.01 −2 −0.03 0.40 0.59 11 
 Jun 0.18 38 −0.01 0.30 0.58 
 Jul 0.12 26 −0.15 −53 0.31 0.61 10 
 Aug 0.12 20 0.15 36 0.04 0.54 
 Sep 0.21 40 0.40 133 0.00 0.45 
 Oct −0.01 −1 0.44 163 0.03 0.45 10 
 Nov 0.01 0.41 0.32 0.40 15 
 Dec −0.01 −3 0.28 0.22 0.32 12 
Seasonal 
 Dry −0.07 −11 0.37 0.02 0.37 10 
 Wet 0.15 26 0.26 47 0.21 0.60 
 Annual 0.10 19 0.30 54 0.48 0.65 10 
Discharge
Precipitation
Tmax
Tmin
Z%changeZ%changeZ%changeZ%change
Monthly 
 Jan −0.08 −14 0.00 0.13 0.23 12 
 Feb −0.10 −15 0.22 0.11 0.23 13 
 Mar −0.10 −16 0.30 0.24 0.24 
 Apr −0.08 −10 0.13 0.44 0.50 11 
 May −0.01 −2 −0.03 0.40 0.59 11 
 Jun 0.18 38 −0.01 0.30 0.58 
 Jul 0.12 26 −0.15 −53 0.31 0.61 10 
 Aug 0.12 20 0.15 36 0.04 0.54 
 Sep 0.21 40 0.40 133 0.00 0.45 
 Oct −0.01 −1 0.44 163 0.03 0.45 10 
 Nov 0.01 0.41 0.32 0.40 15 
 Dec −0.01 −3 0.28 0.22 0.32 12 
Seasonal 
 Dry −0.07 −11 0.37 0.02 0.37 10 
 Wet 0.15 26 0.26 47 0.21 0.60 
 Annual 0.10 19 0.30 54 0.48 0.65 10 

Bold values represent significant trends at 5% significant level. Z is the standard normal variate indicating the trend.

The results for the MK test in the basin show increasing trends for all variables in all stations in the KYB except Jos and Kaduna with a decreasing precipitation trend of −0.1 and −0.05 mm/year, respectively (Table 4). These findings agree with USGS (2012), who reported an increasing trend of temperature in the Sahel as a consequence of the warming of the northern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, thereby increasing the meridional convergence of external moisture at low levels. This eventually increases the rainfall in the region and created a partial rainfall recovery especially in the 1990s. Consequently, yearly variations in precipitation are greatly influenced by local moisture recycling rate which is controlled by planetary flow configurations linked with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (Sheen et al. 2017).

Table 4

Mann–Kendall test and percentage change

StationsMaximum temperature (Tmax)
Minimum temperature (Tmin)
Precipitation
Z-valueSen's slope% changeZ-valueSen's slope% changeZ-valueSen's slope% change
Bauchi 0.23 0.014 0.44 0.028 0.3 9.5 38 
Diffa 0.26 0.03 0.24 0.018 0.38 4.82 69 
Gombe 0.36 0.019 0.42 0.028 0.03 0.52 
Goure 0.2 0.01 0.25 0.016 0.47 7.46 91 
Jos 0.44 0.02 0.54 0.035 10 −0.1 −1.36 −4 
Kaduna 0.35 0.016 0.52 0.029 − 0.05 −1.26 −5 
Kano 0.4 0.02 0.5 0.03 0.51 20.8 93 
Katsina 0.29 0.02 0.4 0.029 0.17 3.63 27 
Magaria 0.34 0.03 0.23 0.018 0.18 12.28 74 
Maiduguri 0.25 0.014 0.44 0.028 0.29 5.59 42 
Maine-Soroa 0.2 0.012 0.46 0.028 0.2 2.32 29 
Nguru 0.33 0.02 0.5 0.029 0.07 1.18 12 
Potiskum 0.19 0.01 0.37 0.02 0.58 14.69 97 
Zinder 0.22 0.01 0.53 0.03 0.23 6.09 41 
StationsMaximum temperature (Tmax)
Minimum temperature (Tmin)
Precipitation
Z-valueSen's slope% changeZ-valueSen's slope% changeZ-valueSen's slope% change
Bauchi 0.23 0.014 0.44 0.028 0.3 9.5 38 
Diffa 0.26 0.03 0.24 0.018 0.38 4.82 69 
Gombe 0.36 0.019 0.42 0.028 0.03 0.52 
Goure 0.2 0.01 0.25 0.016 0.47 7.46 91 
Jos 0.44 0.02 0.54 0.035 10 −0.1 −1.36 −4 
Kaduna 0.35 0.016 0.52 0.029 − 0.05 −1.26 −5 
Kano 0.4 0.02 0.5 0.03 0.51 20.8 93 
Katsina 0.29 0.02 0.4 0.029 0.17 3.63 27 
Magaria 0.34 0.03 0.23 0.018 0.18 12.28 74 
Maiduguri 0.25 0.014 0.44 0.028 0.29 5.59 42 
Maine-Soroa 0.2 0.012 0.46 0.028 0.2 2.32 29 
Nguru 0.33 0.02 0.5 0.029 0.07 1.18 12 
Potiskum 0.19 0.01 0.37 0.02 0.58 14.69 97 
Zinder 0.22 0.01 0.53 0.03 0.23 6.09 41 

Bold value means significant trend at 5% significant level. Positive Z means increasing trend. For more information about the location of the stations, please see Figure 1.

The spatial trend of the annual mean values of temperature variables in the KYB (Figure 4(a) and 4(b)) shows the range of between 34 and 35 °C in the northern part to 28 and 34 °C in the southern part for maximum temperature. The range is between 20 and 22 °C in the northern part and between 16 and 20 °C in the southern part for minimum temperature. This agrees with Funk et al. (2015), who observed coolest air temperatures at the southern edges of the Sahel. For results of the spatial distribution of the percentage changes in temperature for maximum temperature (Figure 4(c)), the highest percentage change (4%) is observed in Magaria while the lowest is observed in Zinder and Maine-Soroa (<2%). The highest percentage change in minimum temperature (Figure 4(d)) is observed in Jos (10%) while the lowest is observed in Goure, Magaria and Diffa (between 3% and 4%).

Figure 4

Annual temperature of the Komadugu-Yobe basin: (a) maximum air temperature (°C), (b) minimum air temperature (°C), (c) percentage change in annual maximum air temperature (%), (d) percentage change in annual minimum air temperature (%).

Figure 4

Annual temperature of the Komadugu-Yobe basin: (a) maximum air temperature (°C), (b) minimum air temperature (°C), (c) percentage change in annual maximum air temperature (%), (d) percentage change in annual minimum air temperature (%).

Close modal

Highest precipitation is seen to increase towards the south-western part of the basin (Figure 5(a)). The range of precipitation in the basin is between 400 and 750 mm in the northern part to between 750 and 1,300 mm in the southern part of the basin. There is an overall latitudinal increase (decrease) of temperature (precipitation) i.e., from lower to higher latitudes. This is in agreement with USGS (2012).

Figure 5

Spatial distribution of (a) annual precipitation (mm), (b) percentage change in annual precipitation (%).

Figure 5

Spatial distribution of (a) annual precipitation (mm), (b) percentage change in annual precipitation (%).

Close modal

The results of the spatial distribution of the percentage changes in precipitation are presented in Figure 5(b). The highest percentage changes in precipitation are seen in Potiskum, Kano and Goure with values between 85% and almost 100% while the lowest percentage changes are seen in Gombe and Nguru with values between −5% and 21% (Figure 5(b)). Furthermore, the result of the periodicity in the properties of the observed variables shows different variations across different time scales (Figure 6). For example, there is an evident 3–4 years periodicity of high signal (≥4) in the maximum temperature wavelet between 1971 and 1995 and between 2009 and 2013. This same high flow signal is present in minimum temperature wavelet between 1971 and 1979, 1987 and 1995, and between 2007 and 2013. A periodicity of 8–11 years of low signals (≤0.3) manifested in the minimum temperature series throughout the period of study while this is only present between 1978 and 1991 and between 1996 and 2013 for maximum temperature. However, for precipitation, there is a regular six years' periodicity of high signal (≥3) between 1988 and 2013 while for discharge this same signal is captured between 1993 and 2000. Although there are some resemblances in the properties of the periodic trends of all variables which show associated trends, the dissimilarities in the pattern of trends show that the properties of the variables are being modified by non-climatic influences.

Figure 6

Periodicities in (a) maximum temperature (°C), (b) minimum temperature (°C), (c) precipitation (mm), (d) discharge (mm).

Figure 6

Periodicities in (a) maximum temperature (°C), (b) minimum temperature (°C), (c) precipitation (mm), (d) discharge (mm).

Close modal

The relationship between precipitation, temperature and river discharge

In an attempt to further understand the relationship between precipitation, river discharge, minimum and maximum temperature, the correlation plots among these variables are examined. For the dry season (Figure 7(a)), there exists a positive correlation between precipitation, minimum temperature, maximum temperature and years. Furthermore, river discharge in the dry season shows a negative correlation with the temperature variables and a decrease with years. For the wet season (Figure 7(b)), there is a negative correlation between river discharge and the two temperature variables, i.e., −0.5 for maximum temperature and −0.1 for minimum temperature while the correlation between precipitation and the maximum temperature is also seen to be negative (−0.3).

Figure 7

Correlation plots of basin average hydrometeorological variables using Pearson's method during: (a) dry season, (b) wet season, (c) annually. Q is the river discharge, Tmax is the maximum temperature, Tmin is the minimum temperature and PPT is the precipitation.

Figure 7

Correlation plots of basin average hydrometeorological variables using Pearson's method during: (a) dry season, (b) wet season, (c) annually. Q is the river discharge, Tmax is the maximum temperature, Tmin is the minimum temperature and PPT is the precipitation.

Close modal

These agree with Trenberth & Shea (2005) and Berg et al. (2009), who reported separately that over land in the dry season, there is a positive correlation between precipitation and temperature due to the low moisture-holding capacity of the atmosphere. Trenberth & Shea (2005) further reported that wet summers are cool, thereby creating a negative relationship between wet season maximum temperature and precipitation. In the warm season, precipitation intensity is influenced by moisture availability rather than the atmospherics' moisture storage capacity (Berg et al. 2009). Furthermore, the atmosphere has a higher moisture-holding capacity which reduces its rate of saturation during warmer summer. In the same vein, the local mechanism of moisture transport may also lower the supply of moisture during the wet season. Berg et al. (2009) confirmed that the process of drying soil in the wet seasons may also increase the temperatures. However, this contributory relationship is reversed in the dry months. For the annual season (Figure 7(c)), all variables show positive correlations except for the correlation between discharge and maximum temperature which is −0.1 while there is no correlation between discharge and minimum temperature.

In all seasons, the river discharge and precipitation have strong positive correlations. This may be attributed to discharge increase as a result of the precipitation recovery after the drought episodes (Guo et al. 2014).

According to Trenberth et al. (2003) and Berg et al. (2009), heavy precipitation intensity is enhanced by increasing temperature through increased atmospheric moisture which drives the precipitation event through moisture convergence at low levels. As a consequence of the heavy precipitation intensity and discharge, there have been flooding events in the basin.

To avert flooding, farmers in the basin have been taking self-determined individual measures such as blocking and diverting of the river channels in order to minimize the loss of farms and crops (Muhammad et al. 2015). For adequate preparation and planning, the frequency of flood and precipitation event occurrence is examined. Figure 8 shows that the recurrence interval of rainfall at 400 mm is 6 years while the recurrence interval of discharge higher than 30 mm is 2 years. At the upper bound, the return level of precipitation of almost 600 mm and discharge at above 50 mm is at 20 years' recurrence interval. This will provide useful information as regards flood event preparedness.

Figure 8

Flow return period: (a) precipitation, (b) discharge.

Figure 8

Flow return period: (a) precipitation, (b) discharge.

Close modal

The study investigated the inhomogeneity and analysed the spatiotemporal trends as well as the relationship between precipitation, river discharge, maximum and minimum temperature over theKYB, Lake Chad region between 1971 and 2013. Significant change points in the time series were detected and corrected using ACMANT. This correction provides a more robust time series for climate impact studies in the basin. Initial results show a latitudinal increase (decrease) in the basin temperature (precipitation) from lower to higher latitudes. There is, overall, increasing temperature, precipitation and river discharge in the basin. On the other hand, increasing rainfall as a result of the Sahelian rainfall recovery could revive the wetlands in the basin, thereby maintaining the food chain balance and preserving the ecosystem. However, excess water from heavy precipitation intensity as a result of increasing temperature as well as increasing river discharge could lead to flooding, thus, farmlands, farm produce and properties could be affected. This could have significant impacts on water management and the socio-economic activity in the basin. Furthermore, the impacts of drought on water demand and supply by natural systems and humans could be aggravated by the warming climate (Cook et al. 2015). Adequate measures and relevant developmental practices should be put in place to mitigate the warming trend as well as flooding that could arise as a result of the increased precipitation and discharge.

There should be a coordinated effort from all stakeholders in participatory dialogue in understanding and tackling climate and environmental issues in the basin. This will promote a harmonized management of climate extreme events, flood, land, water and associated resources without compromising the sustainability of dynamic ecosystems in the basin. Established transboundary cooperation should establish effective linkages between various sectors for the development of integrated water planning and management to eliminate confrontational cross-border impacts in the management of the basin.

However, in an attempt to secure the basin resources from climate extreme events, feasibility studies and environmental impact assessment should be prioritized before embarking on relevant developmental projects. Nevertheless, limited hydrological and climatic data of sufficient quality have hindered sound research and in-depth investigations of the basin's hydrology. Future works should seek to include more recent data.

The first author was supported by a doctoral scholarship from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL). The authors wish to acknowledge the Direction de la Météorologie Nationale (DMN) of Niger Republic, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) for the climate data used in this study. We also acknowledge the fruitful discussions with Seyni Salack of the WASCAL competent centre, Burkina Faso. We extend our thanks to Peter Domonkos for the provision of the ACMANT package as well as the constructive discussions regarding the use of ACMANT. The anonymous reviewers are also acknowledged. The authors have read and understood the policy on declaration of interests and declare that we have no competing interests.

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