Browsing by Author "Quansah, Emmanuel"
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- ItemCarbon dioxide fluxes from contrasting ecosystems in the Sudanian Savanna in West Africa(Carbon Balance and Management, 2015-01) Quansah, Emmanuel; Mauder, Matthias; Balogun, Ahmed; Amekudzi, LeonardBackground: The terrestrial land surface in West Africa is made up of several types of savanna ecosystems differing in land use changes which modulate gas exchanges between their vegetation and the overlying atmosphere. This study compares diurnal and seasonal estimates of CO2 fluxes from three contrasting ecosystems, a grassland, a mixture of fallow and cropland, and nature reserve in the Sudanian Savanna and relate them to water availability and land use characteristics. Results: Over the study period, and for the three study sites, low soil moisture availability, high vapour pressure deficit and low ecosystem respiration were prevalent during the dry season (November to March), but the contrary occurred during the rainy season (May to October). Carbon uptake predominantly took place in the rainy season, while net carbon efflux occurred in the dry season as well as the dry to wet and wet to dry transition periods (AM and ND) respectively. Carbon uptake decreased in the order of the nature reserve, a mixture of fallow and cropland, and grassland. Only the nature reserve ecosystem at the Nazinga Park served as a net sink of CO2, mostly by virtue of a several times larger carbon uptake and ecosystem water use efficiency during the rainy season than at the other sites. These differences were influenced by albedo, LAI, EWUE, PPFD and climatology during the period of study. Conclusion: These results suggest that land use characteristics affect plant physiological processes that lead to flux exchanges over the Sudanian Savanna ecosystems. It affects the diurnal, seasonal and annual changes in NEE and its composite signals, GPP and RE. GPP and NEE were generally related as NEE scaled with photosynthesis with higher CO2 assimilation leading to higher GPP. However, CO2 effluxes over the study period suggest that besides biomass regrowth, other processes, most likely from the soil might have also contributed to the enhancement of ecosystem respiration.
- ItemEmpirical models for estimating global solar radiation over the Ashanti Region of Ghana(Journal of Solar Energy, 2014) Quansah, Emmanuel; Amekudzi, Leonard K.; Preko, Kwasi; Aryee, Jeffrey N. A.; Boakye, Osei R.; Boli, Dziewornu; Salifu, Mubarick R.Te performances of both sunshine and air temperature dependent models for the estimation of global solar radiation (GSR) over Ghana and other tropical regions were evaluated and a comparison assessment of the models was carried out using measured GSR at Owabi (6∘45�0��N, 1∘43�0��W) in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Furthermore, an empirical model which also uses sunshine hours and air temperature measurements from the study site and its environs was proposed. Te results showed that all the models could predict very well the pattern of the measured monthly daily mean GSR for the entire period of the study. However, most of the selected models overestimated the measured GSR, except in April and November, where the empirical model using air temperature measurements underestimated the measured GSR. Nevertheless, a very good agreement was found between the measured radiations and the proposed models with a coefcient of determination within the range 0.88–0.96. Te results revealed that the proposed models using sunshine hours and air temperature had the smallest values of MBE, MPE, and RMSE of −0.0102, 0.0585, and 0.0338 and −0.2973, 1.7075, and 0.9859, respectively.
- ItemModeling the spatial distribution of Global Solar Radiation (GSR) over Ghana using the Angström-Prescott ˚ sunshine duration model(Scientific African, 2019-05-21) Asilevi, Prince Junior; Quansah, Emmanuel; Amekudzi, Leonard Kofitse; Annor, Thompson; Klutse, Nana Ama BrowneSolar radiation is an important geological and meteorological parameter. In most developing countries, data is readily unavailable owing to lack of instrumentation and skilled personnel. In this study, Global solar radiation (GSR) over Ghana has been quantified using the Angström–Prescott ˚ sunshine model with sunshine duration data from 22 synoptic stations distributed across the country’s ecological zones. The simulated data was gridded at 10 km by 10 km, establishing the spatial distribution of solar radiation over the country. Comparison with satellite data showed good results with root mean square error (RMSE) values of 1–5 MJm−2day−1 and correlation coefficient of 60 - 66%. Meanwhile, the estimated total GSR over the country was found to be 412.82 MJm−2day−1. The savanna zone had the maximum estimated total monthly mean GSR for the year, with the highest value of 20.76 MJm−2day−1 in Navrongo. The forest zone had the minimum estimated total annual mean GSR, with the lowest radiation level in Oda (17.11 MJm−2day−1). A maximum and minimum mean clearness index of 0.59 and 0.48 respectively are estimated, implying that about 53% of solar radiation at the top of the atmosphere reaches the study area after attenuation. The satellite data has a total monthly mean horizontal Global Solar irradiance of 366.62 MJm−2day−1. The study shows that the region is a potential field to harness and optimize solar energy for the operation of photovoltaic systems and solar collectors for industrial and domestic applications.
- ItemNumerical simulation of surface energy and water balances over a semiarid grassland ecosystem in the West African Savanna(Advances in Meteorology, 2017) Quansah, Emmanuel; Katata, Genki; Mauder, Matthias; Annor, Thompson; Amekudzi, Leonard K.; Bliefernicht, Jan; Heinzeller, Dominikus; Balogun, Ahmed A.; Kunstmann, HaraldTo understand surface energy exchange processes over the semiarid regions in West Africa, numerical simulations of surface energy and water balances were carried out using a one-dimensional multilayer atmosphere-SOil-VEGetation (SOLVEG) model for selected days of the dry and rainy seasons over a savanna grassland ecosystem in Sumbrungu in the Upper East region of Ghana. Te measured Bowen ratio was used to partition the residual energy into the observed sensible heat flux (�) and latent heat flux (LE) in order to investigate the impact of the surface energy closure on model performance. Te results showed that the model overall reproduced the diurnal changes in the observed energy fluxes, especially the net radiation (Rn), compared to halfhourly eddy covariance flux measurements, for the study periods. Te performance measure in terms of the correlation coefcient (�), centred root mean square error (RMSE), and normalized standard deviation (�) between the simulated � and LE and their corresponding uncorrected observed values ranged between R = 0.63–0.99 and 0.83–0.94, RMSE = 0.88–1.25 and 0.88–1.92, and � = 0.95–2.23 and 0.13–2.82 for the dry and rainy periods respectively, indicating a moderate to good model performance. Te partitioning of � and LE by SOLVEG was generally in agreement with the observations during the dry period but showed clear discrepancies during the rainy period, particularly afer rainfall events. Further sensitivity tests over longer simulation periods (e.g., 1 year) are required to improve model performance and to investigate seasonal exchanges of surface energy fluxes over the West African Savanna ecosystems in more details.
- ItemThe Spatio-Temporal Variability of Rainfall over the Agro-Ecological Zones of Ghana(Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 2019-07-26) Atiah, Winifred A.; Amekudzi, Leonard K.; Quansah, Emmanuel; Preko, KwasiRainfall variability plays an important role in many socio-economic activities such as food security, livelihood and farming in Ghana. Rainfall impact studies are thus very crucial for proper management of these key sectors of the country. This paper examines the seasonal and annual rainfall variability in the four agro-ecological zones of Ghana from the CHIRPS V2 rainfall time series spanning a period of 1981-2015. The rainfall indices were computed with the aid of the FClimDex package whereas the trends of these indices were further tested using the Mann Kendall trend test. The results show good agreement (r ≥ 0.7) between CHIRPS V2 and gauge in almost all portions of country although high biases were observed especially in DJF season over parts of the Northeastern (NE) portions of the country. The mean seasonal rainfall climatology over the country is observed to be in the range of 20 - 80 mm, 60 - 200 mm, 100 - 220 mm and 40 - 180 mm in DJF, MAM, JJA and SON seasons respectively with high intensities of rainfall dominating Southwestern portions of the country. The trend analysis revealed positive trends of consecutive dry days in the Transition, Forest and Coastal zones and negative trends in the Savannah zone of the country. Decreasing trends of consecutive wet days are observed over the Savannah, Transition and Coastal zones whereas increasing trends dominate the Forest zone. Savannah, Forest and Transition zones show weak increasing trends of the number of heavy rainfall days whilst weak decreasing trends are observed over the Coastal zone of the country. Similarly, weak increasing trends of the number of very heavy rainfall days are observed over all the agro-ecological zones except in the Transition zone. It is observed that the annual wet day rainfall total has increasing trend in the Savannah and Forest zones of the country whereas decreasing trends cover the remainder of the zones. The trends of these indices in the agro-ecological zones were all significant at a significant value of 0.05. This paper assessed the performance of the CHIRPS V2 rainfall data over the region and reports on the biases in seasonal rainfall amounts which are limited in previous studies. These findings have adverse impacts on rain-fed agricultural practices, water resource management and food security over the country.
- ItemThe Spatio-Temporal Variability of Rainfall over the Agro-Ecological Zones of Ghana(Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 2019-07-26) Amekudzi, L. K.; Atiah, Winifred A.; Quansah, Emmanuel; Preko, KwasiRainfall variability plays an important role in many socio-economic activities such as food security, livelihood and farming in Ghana. Rainfall impact studies are thus very crucial for proper management of these key sectors of the country. This paper examines the seasonal and annual rainfall variability in the four agro-ecological zones of Ghana from the CHIRPS V2 rainfall time series spanning a period of 1981-2015. The rainfall indices were computed with the aid of the FClimDex package whereas the trends of these indices were further tested using the Mann Kendall trend test. The results show good agreement (r ≥ 0.7) between CHIRPS V2 and gauge in almost all portions of country although high biases were observed especially in DJF season over parts of the Northeastern (NE) portions of the country. The mean seasonal rainfall climatology over the country is observed to be in the range of 20 - 80 mm, 60 - 200 mm, 100 - 220 mm and 40 - 180 mm in DJF, MAM, JJA and SON seasons respectively with high intensities of rainfall dominating Southwestern portions of the country. The trend analysis revealed positive trends of consecutive dry days in the Transition, Forest and Coastal zones and negative trends in the Savannah zone of the country. Decreasing trends of consecutive wet days are observed over the Savannah, Transition and Coastal zones whereas increasing trends dominate the Forest zone. Savannah, Forest and Transition zones show weak increasing trends of the number of heavy rainfall days whilst weak decreasing trends are observed over the Coastal zone of the country. Similarly, weak increasing trends of the number of very heavy rainfall days are observed over all the agro-ecological zones except in the Transition zone. It is observed that the annual wet day rainfall total has increasing trend in the Savannah and Forest zones of the country whereas decreasing trends cover the remainder of the zones. The trends of these indices in the agro-ecological zones were all significant at a significant value of 0.05. This paper assessed the performance of the CHIRPS V2 rainfall data over the region and reports on the biases in seasonal rainfall amounts which are limited in previous studies. These findings have adverse impacts on rain-fed agricultural practices, water resource management and food security over the country.
- ItemValidation of TRMM and FEWS Satellite Rainfall Estimates with Rain Gauge Measurement over Ashanti Region, Ghana(Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 2016-10-28) Amekudzi, Leonard K.; Osei, Marian A.; Atiah, Winifred A.; Aryee, Jeffrey N. A.; Ahiataku, Maureen A.; Quansah, Emmanuel; Preko, Kwasi; Danuor, Sylvester K.; Fink, Andreas H.Satellite rainfall estimates have predominantly been used for climate impact studies due to poor rain gauge network in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there are limited microscale studies within the sub-region that have assessed the performance of these satellite products, which is the focus of the present study. This paper therefore considers validation of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) satellite estimates with rain gauge measurements over Ashanti region of Ghana. First, a consistency assessment of the two gauge data products, the Automatic Rain Gauge (ARG) and Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) Standard Rain Gauge (SRG) measurements, was performed. This showed a very good agreement with correlation coefficient of 0.99. Secondly, satellite rainfall products from TRMM and FEWS were validated with the two gauge measurements. Validation results showed good agreement with correlation coefficients of 0.6 and 0.7 for TRMM and FEWS with SRG, and 0.87 and 0.86 for TRMM and FEWS with ARG respectively. Probability Of Detection (POD) and Volumetric Hit Index (VHI) were found to be greater than 0.9. Volumetric Critical Success Index (VCSI) was 0.9 and 0.8 for TRMM and FEWS respectively with low False Alarm Ratio (FAR) and insignificant Volumetric Miss Index (VMI). In general, relatively low biases and RMSE values were observed. The biases were less than 1.3 and 0.8 for TRMM and FEWSRFE respectively. These indicate high rainfall detection capabilities of both satellite products. In addition, both TRMM and FEWS were able to capture the onset, peak and cessation of the rainy season, as well as the dry spells. Although TRMM and FEWS sometimes under/overestimated rainfall, they have the potential to be used for agricultural and other hydro-climatic impact studies over the region. The Dynamic Aerosol-Cloud-Chemistry Interactions in West Africa (DACCIWA) project will provide an improved spatial gauge network database over the study area to enhance future validation and other climate impact studies.