The influence of land surface temperature on Ghana’s climate variability and implications for sustainable development
Abstract Climate change poses significant global challenges, especially in the West African sub-region, with high temperature and precipitation patterns variability, threatening socio-economic stability and ecosystem health. While global factors such as greenhouse gases and oceanic circulations shap...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86585-9 |
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| author | Collins Oduro Kenny Thiam Choy Lim Kam Sian Daniel Fiifi Tawia Hagan Hassen Babaousmail Brian Odhiambo Ayugi Yanjuan Wu Tatenda Dalu Naicheng Wu |
| author_facet | Collins Oduro Kenny Thiam Choy Lim Kam Sian Daniel Fiifi Tawia Hagan Hassen Babaousmail Brian Odhiambo Ayugi Yanjuan Wu Tatenda Dalu Naicheng Wu |
| author_sort | Collins Oduro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Climate change poses significant global challenges, especially in the West African sub-region, with high temperature and precipitation patterns variability, threatening socio-economic stability and ecosystem health. While global factors such as greenhouse gases and oceanic circulations shape regional climates, this study focuses on the understudied role of local climatic variables in influencing near-surface air temperature (NST) in Ghana from 1981 to 2020. Based on ground observations, our findings reveal significant correlations between land surface temperature (LST) and NST before and after the identified breakpoint year of 2001. Additionally, we observe a reduction in precipitation post-2001. We also identify LST as the primary driver of NST and precipitation changes based on cause-effect analysis of multiple factors. Specifically, higher LST leads to decreased precipitation and increased NST, contributing to the increasing trend of NST over the last two decades. The insights are vital for developing targeted adaptation strategies, including integrated land and water management, sustainable agriculture, and effective interventions, directly supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Moreover, the study provides evidence for promoting climate-smart agriculture to ensure food security (SDG 2). By integrating these findings into climate adaptation frameworks, policymakers and stakeholders can better address the unique challenges posed by climate variability in Ghana, ensuring more resilient and sustainable environmental management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f92ff232dedf47afbc6a06861db066ec |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-f92ff232dedf47afbc6a06861db066ec2025-01-26T12:30:10ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-86585-9The influence of land surface temperature on Ghana’s climate variability and implications for sustainable developmentCollins Oduro0Kenny Thiam Choy Lim Kam Sian1Daniel Fiifi Tawia Hagan2Hassen Babaousmail3Brian Odhiambo Ayugi4Yanjuan Wu5Tatenda Dalu6Naicheng Wu7Department of Geography and Spatial Information Techniques, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geography Science, Ningbo UniversitySchool of Atmospheric Science and Remote Sensing, Wuxi UniversityHydro-Climate Extremes Lab, Ghent UniversitySchool of Atmospheric Science and Remote Sensing, Wuxi UniversityNanyuki Hub, Kenya, Wyss Academy for Nature at University of Bern, SwitzerlandDepartment of Geography and Spatial Information Techniques, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geography Science, Ningbo UniversityAquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of MpumalangaDepartment of Geography and Spatial Information Techniques, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geography Science, Ningbo UniversityAbstract Climate change poses significant global challenges, especially in the West African sub-region, with high temperature and precipitation patterns variability, threatening socio-economic stability and ecosystem health. While global factors such as greenhouse gases and oceanic circulations shape regional climates, this study focuses on the understudied role of local climatic variables in influencing near-surface air temperature (NST) in Ghana from 1981 to 2020. Based on ground observations, our findings reveal significant correlations between land surface temperature (LST) and NST before and after the identified breakpoint year of 2001. Additionally, we observe a reduction in precipitation post-2001. We also identify LST as the primary driver of NST and precipitation changes based on cause-effect analysis of multiple factors. Specifically, higher LST leads to decreased precipitation and increased NST, contributing to the increasing trend of NST over the last two decades. The insights are vital for developing targeted adaptation strategies, including integrated land and water management, sustainable agriculture, and effective interventions, directly supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Moreover, the study provides evidence for promoting climate-smart agriculture to ensure food security (SDG 2). By integrating these findings into climate adaptation frameworks, policymakers and stakeholders can better address the unique challenges posed by climate variability in Ghana, ensuring more resilient and sustainable environmental management.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86585-9climate change adaptationnear–surface temperatureland surface temperatureprecipitationmultivariate causality analysissustainable development goals |
| spellingShingle | Collins Oduro Kenny Thiam Choy Lim Kam Sian Daniel Fiifi Tawia Hagan Hassen Babaousmail Brian Odhiambo Ayugi Yanjuan Wu Tatenda Dalu Naicheng Wu The influence of land surface temperature on Ghana’s climate variability and implications for sustainable development Scientific Reports climate change adaptation near–surface temperature land surface temperature precipitation multivariate causality analysis sustainable development goals |
| title | The influence of land surface temperature on Ghana’s climate variability and implications for sustainable development |
| title_full | The influence of land surface temperature on Ghana’s climate variability and implications for sustainable development |
| title_fullStr | The influence of land surface temperature on Ghana’s climate variability and implications for sustainable development |
| title_full_unstemmed | The influence of land surface temperature on Ghana’s climate variability and implications for sustainable development |
| title_short | The influence of land surface temperature on Ghana’s climate variability and implications for sustainable development |
| title_sort | influence of land surface temperature on ghana s climate variability and implications for sustainable development |
| topic | climate change adaptation near–surface temperature land surface temperature precipitation multivariate causality analysis sustainable development goals |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86585-9 |
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