The climatological regions of Tanzania based on the rainfall characteristics

Basalirwa, Charles; Odiyo, John O.; Mngodo, R.J.; Mpeta, Emmanuel Jonathan

doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0088(199901)19:1<69::aid-joc343>3.0.co;2-m

Cited by 48 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Short rains are experienced in the months of November to January, and long rains occur between March and May of every year. A dry spell is experienced between the months of June and November annually [29][30][31]. According to the annual rainfall pattern, the Kilombero River floodplain is prevailingly flooded during the long rainy season.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Distribution of Soil Hydrological Properties in the Kilombero Floodplain, Tanzania

et al. 2017

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Analysis and interpretation of soil properties dynamics is a keystone in understanding the hydrologic responses and yield potential of floodplain wetlands. This study characterizes the distribution and spatial trends of selected soil physical properties in the Kilombero floodplain, Tanzania. A total of 76 composite soil samples were taken from 0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm depth in a regular grid design across three hydrological zones, related to flooding intensity defined as fringe, middle, and riparian during the rainy season of 2015. The samples were analyzed for soil texture, bulk density, organic carbon, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Seasonal soil moisture content was monitored at depths of 10, 20, 30, and 40 cm, using 17 frequency domain reflectometry profile probes type PR2, installed at each hydrological zone for 18 months (March 2015-August 2016). Data were subjected to classical statistical and geostatistical analyses. Results showed significant (p < 0.05) differences in bulk density, texture, soil organic carbon (SOC), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (K sat ) across the hydrological zones. Bulk density showed a clear increasing trend towards the fringe zone. Mean K sat was highest at the riparian zone (69.15 cm·d −1 ), and clay was higher in the riparian (20.3%) and middle (28.7%) zones, whereas fringe had the highest percentage of sand (33.7-35.9%). Geostatistical spatial results indicated that bulk density, silt, and SOC at 0-20 cm had intermediate dependence, whereas other soil properties at both depths had high spatial dependence. Soil moisture content showed a significant (p < 0.05) difference across the hydrological zones. The riparian zone retained the highest soil moisture content compared to the middle and fringe zone. The temporal soil moisture pattern corresponded to rainfall seasonality and at the riparian zone, soil moisture exhibited a convex shape of sloping curve, whereas a concave sloping curve for topsoil and for the middle zone at the subsoil was observed during the start of the dry season. Our results are seen to contribute to a better understanding of the spatial distribution of soil properties and as a reference for soil and water management planning in the floodplain.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Distribution of Soil Hydrological Properties in the Kilombero Floodplain, Tanzania

et al. 2017

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“…1 Map of Tanzania, showing location, administration regional boundaries, major rivers and water basins Appl Water Sci (2017) 7:71-87 73 changes over the course of the year, migrating southwards through Tanzania in October to December, reaching the south of the country in January and February, and returning northwards in March, April and May (McSweeney et al 2014). This causes areas around Lake Victoria basin (Nicholson 1996;Basalirwa et al 1999;Tungaraza et al 2012;McSweeney et al 2014), western coast of the Indian Ocean (Sumner 1983;Nicholson 1996;McSweeney et al 2014) and northern highlands (Nicholson 1996;Basalirwa et al 1999;McSweeney et al 2014) to experiences two distinct wet periods the 'short' rains (Vuli) in October to December and the 'long' rains (Masika) in March to May. The southern, western and central parts of the country experience one wet season from October to April/May, with central parts being relatively drier and others wet.…”

Section: Climatementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The southern, western and central parts of the country experience one wet season from October to April/May, with central parts being relatively drier and others wet. The annual total rainfall ranges from less than 500 mm in central parts to more than 1,000 mm in wet areas, although the coastal regions and the Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba may receive about 1,500 mm (Sumner 1983;Nicholson 1996;Basalirwa et al 1999;McSweeney et al 2014). Such …”

Section: Climatementioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of nitrate in Tanzanian groundwater aquifers: A review

Elisante

Muzuka

2015

Appl Water Sci

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More than 25 % of Tanzanian depends on groundwater as the main source of water for drinking, irrigation and industrial activities. The current trend of land use may lead to groundwater contamination and thus increasing risks associated with the usage of contaminated water. Nitrate is one of the contaminants resulting largely from anthropogenic activities that may find its way to the aquifers and thus threatening the quality of groundwater.

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“…This study addresses the first 2 years of measurements, i.e. [7] Climate in the Kilimanjaro region is characterized by a bimodal distribution of rainfall [Coutts, 1969;Basalirwa et al, 1999] due to the seasonal zonal oscillation of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The so-called ''long rains'' are centered on March to May, and the socalled ''short rains'' are centered on October/November to December.…”

Section: Meteorological Measurements and Climatementioning

confidence: 99%

Ablation and associated energy balance of a horizontal glacier surface on Kilimanjaro

2004

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[1] The surface energy balance of a glacier describes the physical connection between ice/snow ablation and climatic forcing. To expand knowledge on the response of Kilimanjaro's glaciers to climate variations, this study estimates the energy balance on a horizontal glacier surface at the summit for the periods March to September 2000 and March 2001 to February 2002. An automatic weather station (AWS) operating at 5794 m above sea level provides the data input, and ablation at the AWS site differed considerably between the two periods. The energy balance model employed incorporates radiative fluxes, turbulent heat fluxes, and the energy flux in the subsurface. On a monthly basis, results show that radiative energy dominates energy exchanges at the glacier-atmosphere interface, governed by the variation in net shortwave radiation. The turbulent latent heat flux, which is always negative (i.e., continuous mass loss due to sublimation), is the second important energy flux. In contrast, turbulent exchange of sensible heat remains of minor importance. The marked difference in ablation between the two periods can largely be explained by a difference in surface albedo. Albedo depends on precipitation amount and frequency and directly controls net shortwave radiation receipt. In the context of modern glacier retreat on Kilimanjaro the results support other evidence that Kilimanjaro's glaciers are extremely sensitive to precipitation variability.

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The climatological regions of Tanzania based on the rainfall characteristics

Cited by 48 publications

References 9 publications

Spatial Distribution of Soil Hydrological Properties in the Kilombero Floodplain, Tanzania

Spatial Distribution of Soil Hydrological Properties in the Kilombero Floodplain, Tanzania

Occurrence of nitrate in Tanzanian groundwater aquifers: A review

Ablation and associated energy balance of a horizontal glacier surface on Kilimanjaro

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