A climatological baseline for understanding patterns of seasonal lake dynamics across sub-Sahelian Africa

Amadori, M, Greife, AJ, Carrea, L, Pinardi, M, Caroni, R, Calamita, E, Serrao, L., Maidment, R., Bordoni, S, Giardino, C, Bresciani, M, Fava, FP, Schmid, M, Ndebele-Murisa, M, Nhiwatiwa, T, Crétaux, J-F, Merchant, CJ, Liu, X, Simis, SGH, Lomeo, D, Yesou, H, Albergel, C and Woolway, R! 2025 A climatological baseline for understanding patterns of seasonal lake dynamics across sub-Sahelian Africa. Communications Earth & Environment, 6 (1). 10.1038/s43247-025-02684-5

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02684-5

Abstract/Summary

Lakes in sub-Sahelian Africa are facing growing ecological threats from climate change and human, yet most research has focused on a handful of well-known large lakes. This study analyses 137 lakes, many previously understudied, and identifies consistent seasonal co-variability patterns across meteorological variables, satellite-derived lake physical and biogeochemical variables, and morphological and anthropogenic characteristics. We identify four distinct clusters of lakes, shaped by the atmospheric variability and its synchrony with water temperature seasonality. Within each cluster, we observe three seasonal patterns of chlorophyll-a concentration tied to wet and dry seasons. These patterns align with regional climatic threats in Africa, such as shifts in rainfall seasonality, altered frequency of tropical cyclones and wildfires, thus positioning our study as a framework to assess lake vulnerability across the sub-Sahelian region.

Item Type: Publication - Article
Divisions: Plymouth Marine Laboratory > Science Areas > Earth Observation Science and Applications (expired)
Plymouth Marine Laboratory > Science Areas > Marine Processes and Observations
Depositing User: S Hawkins
Date made live: 23 Sep 2025 13:51
Last Modified: 23 Sep 2025 13:51
URI: https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/10522

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