@article{fdi:010048247,
  title = {{AMMA}-{CATCH} studies in the {S}ahelian region of {W}est-{A}frica : an overview},
  author = {{L}ebel, {T}hierry and {C}appelaere, {B}ernard and {G}alle, {S}ylvie and {H}anan, {N}. and {K}ergoat, {L}. and {L}evis, {S}. and {V}ieux, {B}. and {D}escroix, {L}uc and {G}osset, {M}arielle and {M}ougin, {E}ric and {P}eugeot, {C}hristophe and {S}eguis, {L}uc},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he {A}frican {M}onsoon {M}ultidisciplinary {A}nalysis ({AMMA}) is an international and interdisciplinary experiment designed to investigate the interactions between atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial systems and their joint controls on tropical monsoon dynamics in {W}est {A}frica. {T}his special issue reports results from a group of {AMMA} studies regrouped in the component "{C}ouplage de l'{A}tmosphere {T}ropicale et du {C}ycle {H}ydrologique" ({CATCH}). {AMMA}-{CATCH} studies focus on measuring and understanding land surface properties and processes in {W}est {A}frica, the role of terrestrial systems in altering boundary layer dynamics, and thus the potential that surface hydrology and biology, and human land use practices, may directly or indirectly affect monsoon dynamics and rainfall in the region. {AMMA}-{CATCH} studies focus on three intensively instrumented mesoscale sites in {M}ali, {N}iger and {B}enin that sample across the 1001300 mm/annum rainfall gradient of the {S}ahel, {S}udan and {N}orth-{G}uinean bioclimatic zones. {S}tudies report on: (i) surface-boundary layer interactions that may influence atmospheric convergence and convective processes and thus rainfall type, timing and amount; (ii) vegetation dynamics at seasonal to decadal time-scales that may respond to, and alter, atmospheric processes; (iii) surface-atmosphere fluxes of heat, water and carbon dioxide that directly influence the atmosphere; (iv) soil moisture variability in space and time that provide the proximate control on vegetation activity, evapotranspiration and energy balance; and (v) local and mesoscale modeling of hydrology and land surface-atmosphere exchanges to assess their role in the hydrological, atmospheric and rainfall dynamics of {W}est {A}frica. {T}he {AMMA}-{CATCH} research reported in this issue will be extended in future years as measurements and analysis continue and are concluded within the context of both {CATCH} and the wider {AMMA} study. {T}his body of research will contribute to an improved understanding of the functioning of the coupled {W}est {A}frican system, and enhance our ability to model and predict rainfall, vegetation and biogeochemical dynamics across time-scales (day, year, decade, and century), and in response to changing climate and land use. {S}uch information is vital for policy makers and managers in planning for future economic development, sustainability and livelihoods of the growing populations of the region.},
  keywords = {{W}est {A}frica ; {S}ahel ; {L}and surface processes ; {C}ontinental scale experiments ; {W}ater resources},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {H}ydrology},
  volume = {375},
  numero = {1-2},
  pages = {3--13},
  ISSN = {0022-1694},
  year = {2009},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.03.020},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010048247},
}