TRENDS AND SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN NIGERIA’S COASTAL REGION

Abstract

A major challenge facing the Coastal Region of Nigeria is climate change and climate variability. An assessment of the trends and spatial variability of climate, critical for knowledge-based strategies needed for planning adequate mitigation and adaptation measures for the region, requires urgent attention. This study analysed spatial variability and temporary trends of climate change in the Nigeria Coastal Region .. Gridded monthly climatic data from the Climate Research Unit (CRU 0.5 x 0.5) for two climatic periods ((1956- 1986 and 1987-2016) were obtained. Tests for trend detection and magnitude determination utilized: Mann-Kendal and Linear Regression—Thei-Sen Slope test. Climatic maps for rainfall and temperature from 1956 to 2016 for the coastal regions of Nigeria were developed by ordinary kriging. The results from statistical analyses suggest that there is very high rainfall variability with the coefficient of variability (CV) values ranging between 62.43% and 69.46 % and low-temperature variability with CV values ranging between 4.314% and 6.037%. The annual rainfall and temperature increased at the average rate of 3.047 mm yr-1. and 0.0126 oC yr-1 respectively. In 75% of the region, rainfall was decreasing, while in 25%, it was increasing. The implementation of adaptation and mitigation strategies should be mandatory due to the notable increase in temperature.