HAPEX-Sahel: a large-scale study of land-atmosphere interactions in the semi-arid tropics

• DOI: 10.1007/s00585-994-0053-0
• Publication Date: 2005-04-27T15:27:58Z
• Authors: J.-P. Goutorbe; T. Lebel; A. Tinga; P. Bessemoulin; J. Brouwer; A. J. Dolman; E. T. Engman; J. H. C. Gash; M. Hoepffner; P. Kabat; Y. H. Kerr; B. Monteny; S. Prince; F. Said; P. Sellers; J. S. Wallace
• Keywords: Wet season

Abstract. The Hydrologic Atmospheric Pilot EXperiment in the Sahel (HAPEX-Sahel) was carried out Niger, West Africa, during 1991 - 1992, with an intensive observation period (IOP) August October 1992. It aims at improving parameterization of land surface atmosphere interactions Global Circulation Model (GCM) gridbox scale. experiment combines remote sensing and ground based measurements hydrological meteorological modelling to develop aggregation techniques for use large scale estimates behaviour areas Sahel. experimental strategy consisted a transition rainy dry season, backed up by series long term 1° square Niger. Three "supersites" were instrumented variety (micro) equipment provide detailed information on energy exchange local Boundary layer aircraft used scales 100 500 km2. All relevant images obtained this period. This programme is now being analyzed extensive under way aggregate all GCM grid box some preliminary results IOP are described.