@article{fdi:010048250,
  title = {{T}he {AMMA}-{CATCH} experiment in the cultivated {S}ahelian area of south-west {N}iger - {I}nvestigating water cycle response to a fluctuating climate and changing environment},
  author = {{C}appelaere, {B}ernard and {D}escroix, {L}uc and {L}ebel, {T}hierry and {B}oulain, {N}icolas and {R}amier, {D}avid and {L}aurent, {J}. {P}. and {F}avreau, {G}uillaume and {B}oubkraoui, {S}t{\'e}phane and {B}oucher, {M}arie and {M}oussa, {I}. {B}. and {C}haffard, {V}{\'e}ronique and {H}iernaux, {P}. and {I}ssoufou, {H}. {B}. {A}. and {L}e {B}reton, {E}. and {M}amadou, {I}. and {N}azoumou, {Y}. and {O}i, {M}onique and {O}ttle, {C}. and {Q}uantin, {G}uillaume},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A}mong the three sites distributed along the {W}est {A}frican latitudinal gradient in the {AMMA}-{CATCH} observation system, the experimental setup in the {N}iamey area of south-west {N}iger samples the cultivated {S}ahel environment, for hydrological, vegetation and land surface processes. {T}he objective is to investigate relationships between climate, land cover, and the water cycle, in a rapidly changing semiarid environment. {T}his paper first presents the main characteristics of the area, where previous research, including the {EPSAT} and {HAPEX}-{S}ahel experiments, had evidenced a widespread decadal increase in water resources, concurrently with severe drought conditions. {T}he specifics of {AMMA}-{CATCH} research and data acquisition at this site, over the long-term (similar to 2001-2010) and enhanced (similar to 2005-2008) observation periods, are introduced. {O}bjectives and observation strategy are explained, and the main characteristics of instrument deployment are detailed. {A} very large number of parameters - covering rainfall, vegetation ecophysiology, phenology and production, surface fluxes of energy, water vapour and {CO}2, runoff and sediment, pond water, soil moisture, and groundwater - were monitored at local to meso scales in a nested structure of sites. {T}he current state of knowledge is summarized, connecting processes and patterns of variation for rainfall, vegetation/land cover, and the terrestrial hydrologic cycle. {T}he central role of land use and of its spectacular change in recent decades is highlighted. {T}his paper provides substantial background information that sets the context for papers relating to the south-west {N}iger site in this {AMMA}-{CATCH} special issue.},
  keywords = {{L}and cover change ; {S}emiarid ; {W}ater resources ; {E}cohydrology ; {S}avanna vegetation ; {O}bservation system},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {H}ydrology},
  volume = {375},
  numero = {1-2},
  pages = {34--51},
  ISSN = {0022-1694},
  year = {2009},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.06.021},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010048250},
}