Climate is perhaps the single most important driver with respect to determining the amount, distribution and to some extent, the availability of water in the environment. The temporal and spatial distribution of water, the intensity of precipitation, and temperatures all drive elements of the hydrologic cycle and many other physical and chemical processes that shape the landscape.
The climate of the Orange-Senqu River basin varies significantly along the path of the river from the temperate climes of the Lesotho mountains through dry grasslands and savanna to the arid landscapes of the semi-desert Nama and Succulent Karoo regions.
There is now little argument that our global climate is changing. The questions are now focused on how, when and where these changes will take place and what the impacts will be on our local environment and livelihoods.
Chapter Summary
This chapter covers the following concepts and material:
- The principles of climate and meteorology, including the hydrologic cycle, climate variability, climate classification, water scarcity and drought
- An overview of the regional climate of southern Africa
- An overview of the climate of the Orange-Senqu River basin
- The basic principles of climate change and an outline of the projected impacts of climate change on the climate and environment of the Orange-Senqu River basin
 The climate of Orange-Senqu River basin varies from snow in the winter in Lesotho... Source:Lesotho Water Commission 2008 ( click to enlarge ) |
 ....to the scorching Namib desert in Namibia. Source:Huber 2008 ( click to enlarge ) |
