On the influence of urbanization on the water budget in Nairobi city: A numerical study |
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Authors: | Franklin J Opijah Joseph R Mukabana |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Meteorology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box, 30197, airobi, Kenya (;(2) Kenya Meteorological Department, 30259 Nairobi, Kenya |
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Abstract: | The impact of the growth and development of the City of Nairobi on the water budget is simulated using a high-resolution limited-area
numerical model. The water substance fields are modelled with full physics in a control experiment. Five sensitivity experiments
are then performed by altering the land-use/cover over the domain of study to assess the influence of the city, forests and
terrain undulations on the water substance fields. Results showed that the highest evaporation occurred in areas of the study
domain with open grasslands/scattered bush-land's vegetation types and the least at the city centre. Deforestation would lead
to a substantial increase in the loss of water effected through evaporation despite a reduction in transpiration. The observed
rainfall amount and frequency were highest in the high ground portions to the northwest of the study domain. Numerical analyses
showed that the urban heat island had a destabilizing effect on the flow, which enhanced convection that resulted in increased
rainfall downwind of the urban area. Further growth and expansion of the city of Nairobi would increase the area and amount
of rainfall received. Deforestation would decrease rainfall amounts. Massive reforestation would increase the observed rainfall.
There has been a decrease in soil moisture at the current location of the city centre; the decrease is bound to increase with
the expansion of the city. The City of Nairobi has resulted in a large decrease in the soil moisture through converting the
natural fabric to concrete/asphalt material. Deforestation would result in a marginal decrease in the soil moisture. Further
growth and development of Nairobi City would modify the water substance budget appreciably.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | limited area atmospheric model urban effects |
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