Climate Change in Malawi and its Implication on Natural Resource Base

Global climate change is expressed through an increase in recorded temperatures, changes in rainfall, glacial melt and increase in incidence of extreme climatic events. Literature on temperature and rainfall trends which support the climate change science in most developing countries is limited. However, large parts of Africa are recognised as having climates that are variable and complex. The widespread lack of reliable data in Africa makes it a challenge to predict climate change and its impact on the hydrological cycle and forest ecosystem in Africa. In this book rainfall and temperature trends for Malawi is analysed. The relationship between annual rainfall and flooding incidences to determine drivers of increasing flood events is also analysed. Finally, association between flood incidences and change in forest cover due to land use is also investigated. The analysis is significant on agriculture; the backbone of Malawi¿s Economy, thus influence policy makers on climate policy development and implementation. Water resource managers, Disaster risk managers, climate modellers will also benefit.