Contrary to popular belief, seasonal rains are not the most important factor for starting the growth cycle of plants across Africa.
Contrary to popular belief, seasonal rains are not the most important factor for starting the growth cycle of plants across Africa.
New research shows that the amount of daylight plants receive is the biggest contributing factor to starting the iconic ‘green-up’ phenomenon in Africa – where the continent’s plants and trees grow their leaves.
A team of researchers from Lancaster University, the University of Southampton and the University of Seville, examining satellite sensor images of the continent and analysing the relationship between vegetation growth and climatic factors have found the length of daylight to be the most important factor for the start of growth in vegetation. This was the case from the extreme north of Africa, across the Sahel and also in the southern African savannah.
Although a combination of climatic factors is key, the study found that days with shorter hours of sunlight before the start of growing season resulted in later onset of vegetation growth.
Read more at Lancaster University
Photo Credit: AnteKante via Pixabay
