What are the factors that can affect winds in terms of the season, weather and time of day?5 answersSeason, weather, and time of day significantly impact wind characteristics. The mean wind profile in forested regions is influenced by seasonally fitted exponents and temperature variations, while wind direction is affected by season and temperature. In wind measurement corrections, seasonal biases are observed due to the annual course of wind speed, with methods like Variance Ratio and Linear Regression showing different results based on the season. Changes in atmospheric zonal winds due to global warming affect wind patterns, with seasonal variations in wind-driven angular momentum correlating with the Southern Oscillation Index. Wind statistics in Bosnia-Herzegovina show varying diurnal patterns by season, analyzed through Normalized Root-Mean-Square deviation and Fast Fourier Transform. A two-tier wind power time series model considers day-to-day weather transitions and intraday wind fluctuations, showing different impacts of weather states on wind power distributions.
What is the current climate like in Eastern Cape South Africa?5 answersThe current climate in Eastern Cape, South Africa, is characterized by a severe drought since 2015, impacting both rural and urban areas with socio-economic effects. Observations show a warming trend with air temperatures increasing by 0.02°C/year and potential future acceleration to 0.03°C/year. Rainfall trends vary, with a significant decreasing trend in spring rainfall totals and number of rainfall days since 1981, particularly affecting the region. Model projections suggest a slight overall decrease in rainfall trends up to 2050, except for the eastern coastal plains. Smallholder farmers in the region perceive a decline in rainfall, increased temperatures, and harsh climatic conditions affecting crop production, highlighting vulnerabilities to climate change risks. These combined factors paint a picture of a region facing challenges from changing climate patterns, emphasizing the need for adaptation strategies.
What factors contribute to the current sea turtle population trends in South Africa's eastern coast?5 answersThe current sea turtle population trends along South Africa's eastern coast are influenced by various factors. Conservation efforts, such as protection measures on nesting beaches, have positively impacted loggerhead populations, leading to a favorable response. However, differential offshore mortality between species, like loggerheads and leatherbacks, plays a role in population stability. Shark nets, initially established for bather protection, have inadvertently led to sea turtle bycatch, with loggerheads being most frequently caught, showing an increase correlated with nesting female numbers. Additionally, threats like bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries contribute to population dynamics, with loggerheads and leatherbacks being the most commonly caught species. These factors collectively shape the current sea turtle population trends in South Africa's eastern coast.
How does climate change affect coastal communities?5 answersClimate change affects coastal communities in various ways. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and storm surges pose threats to both natural and human systems, making these communities more vulnerable. The impacts of climate change on coastal communities include inundation, erosion, and recession risks, which can affect coastal landforms and infrastructure. Low-lying coastal regions are particularly at high risk, and building capacities of coastal communities to adapt to sea-level rise is crucial. The perception of climate change among coastal inhabitants is important, as increased knowledge and awareness influence their choice of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Local residents in coastal communities have observed the unpredictability and worsening effects of climate change, leading them to take actions to build their adaptive capacity. Integrating local knowledge into mapping exercises can provide valuable information on vulnerabilities, risks, and adaptation practices in coastal communities.
How does climate change affect marine fisheries in coastal areas?3 answersClimate change has significant impacts on marine fisheries in coastal areas. Small-scale fishing communities and their livelihoods are particularly vulnerable to these effects. The impacts include dwindling fish catch, reduction in fishing days, longer fishing trips, and damage to boats and nets. Climate change also affects the composition of fish species and the ecological structure of fisheries, leading to a decrease in fishery production. Shifting fish stocks due to climate change pose governance issues and threaten the rule of law for the oceans, as fish may move across jurisdictional boundaries and become unregulated. Additionally, climate change affects the health and migratory routes of fish stocks, as well as entire marine ecosystems, through phenomena such as ocean warming, acidification, and de-oxygenation. To address these challenges, it is important to prioritize vulnerable fisheries and establish policies for sustainable management and adaptation to climate change.
How pollution affect marine biodiversity in South Africa especially in coastal rural communities?5 answersPollution has a significant impact on marine biodiversity in South Africa, particularly in coastal rural communities. The presence of microplastics (MP) in African fishing resources poses a threat to the already compromised fishing industry in the region. Overexploitation of coastal fish and invertebrate stocks due to intense exploitation by recreational and subsistence fishers has resulted in the depletion of these resources. Marine pollution, although mainly confined to densely populated areas, has negative effects on the marine ecosystem, including the introduction of invasive species and decreased oxygen concentrations. However, South Africa's coastline remains relatively well-conserved, with 23% of it under formal protection. The establishment of a national marine pollution monitoring framework would be beneficial in stimulating research and addressing the impact of pollution on marine biodiversity. Overall, pollution poses a threat to marine biodiversity in South Africa, particularly in coastal rural communities, and efforts should be made to mitigate its effects.