Effects of Climate Change on Length of Growing Season in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the effects of climate change on the length of growing season (LGS) in Uyo. Daily rainfall value for a period of 30 years (1977 – 2006) was obtained from the meteorological station of University of Uyo, Uyo Akwa Ibom State. The daily rainfall was then grouped into 5 days intervals known as pentad. The cumulative of the pentads was graphed annually to determine the onset and cessation periods. Results obtained shows that there is a significant increase in the length of the growing season from 1977 to 2006, with the exception of 1981, 1983 and 1987 with 43,42 and 43 pentads respectively. The year 2004 and 2005 which are in the last decade of the study recorded the highest length of growing seasons which is above the base year (1977). The variable nature of the increase was therefore subjected to statistical application of measure of dispersion and central tendency. Findings revealed that the mean LGS for Uyo in days is 235 days with a standard deviation of ±20 days. The daily rainfall data was computed to annual total and 4 years moving average was computed and fitted with a trend line to give the direction of impact of climate change on rainfall in the study area. it was observed from the trend line, the length of growing season was directly affected by the frequency (rainy days) than rainfall amount. Implications of findings were discussed and solutions proffered for the study area.