An Estimation of Rainfall Seasonality Index of Yola South LGA and its Effects on Agriculture and Environment
Publication Date: 28/05/2020
Author(s): Abdulqadir Abubakar Sadiq.
Volume/Issue: Volume 3 , Issue 3 (2020)
Abstract:
The study saddled to estimate rainfall seasonality index of Yola South LGA, and its effects on agriculture and environment. Fifty (50) years rainfall data from 1969-2018 were computed using proposed formular of Walsh & Lawler (1981). The result revealed that of all the years estimated were classified as markedly seasonal with a long drier season except in the year 1971 and 2016 classified as seasonal and 1991, 2003, 2009 and 2012 were rated with most rain in 3 months or less. Similarly, for the decade’s results it was revealed that all the four decades (1969-2008) were classified as markedly seasonal with a long drier season with estimated mean SI value ranged from 0.884-0.933 except in the last decade (2009-2018) which was rated as seasonal with mean SI values of 0.756 having short dry season respectively. In addition, the cumulative result for the fifty (50) years of study shows that the mean SI value of 0.882 classified as markedly seasonal with a long drier season having average rainfall amount of 126.66 mm. Due to the seasonal variability of rainfall distribution imposed negative effects of floods and droughts scenarios on agriculture and environment in the area. Floods scenarios had affected farmlands, cropping system and the entire livelihood system and droughts conditions also damaged crop growth and productivity, loss of vegetation, soil erosion and desertification. It is therefore recommending that the farmer should adopt the use of early matured crops with high drought resistivity, farming and buildings along flood prone should be avoided for sustainable development.
