Lead : A FINK & P KNIPPERTZ (IMK - KIT)

The processes controlling the formation and dissolution of low-level clouds cover will be investigated synergistically on the basis of existing station, upper-air, re-analysis and satellite data as well as high-resolution modelling experiments with ICON and Meso-NH models, trajectory calculations and a comprehensive field campaign.
We will concentrate on two transects: The northern transect (transect 2) which runs, in its western part, through the coastal plains of Gabon. The southern (...)

Lead : V MORON (CEREGE) & P CAMBERLIN (CRC)

The variability of the low-level cloud cover in both time and space as well as its control by atmospheric dynamics and sea surface temperatures will be analysed using multi-year historical data, reanalyses and dedicated numerical simulations with Meso-NH model. So far there are hardly any studies of (i) the timing of the low-level cloud season (onset and end), (ii) its intra-seasonal variability (i.e. phases with reduced low-level cloud cover) and interannual variations, and (iii) its (...)

Lead : N PHILIPPON (IGE) & T CASTEL (BGS)

Light availability (LA) is a key factor for forest photosynthesis - satellite-based work by Philippon et al. (2019) suggests that LA for forest functioning in Gabon is 25% lower than in the rest of Central Africa but with a high fraction of diffuse radiation - and indirectly for forest water balance (WB) - Gabon also singularizes in terms of potential evapotranspiration (PET), which is estimated to be 15% lower than during the dry season in the rest of Central Africa .
LA and WB will be (...)