Temperature and Rainfall Trends as Indicators of Climate Change in a Rainforest Region of Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined temperature and rainfall trends as indicators of climate change in a rainforest region of Benin City in Nigeria. To achieve this, temperature and rainfall data spanning 32 years (1991 - 2022) were collected from the archives of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in Benin City for the study. The data collected were analysed using linear regression and the result revealed an increasing trend in annual temperature (R2= 0.439, p <0.000). The mean temperature over the study period in the study area was 27.7 °C. Rainfall, on the other hand, showed no trends at (R2=0.005, p < 0.697). The mean rainfall over the study period in the study area was 2284.5mm. The pattern of temperature and rainfall observed in this study could be attributed to climate change. As such, we recommend that efforts should be intensified toward mitigating climate change in the study area.