W3: African response to global change: Past, present and future

(J.-B. Stuut, S. Mulitza & M. Prange; Bremen)
Workshop W3 is related to session B2

Recent studies suggest that the regional distribution of tropical sea-surface temperatures has a profound influence on precipitation patterns over Africa. Furthermore, changes in precipitation over the African continent have a major influence on the rate and composition of the vegetation cover, the rate of fluvial discharge, and on the production and distribution of dust. Sediments deposited in lakes on the continent as well as in the ocean off Africa continuously record the history of vegetation cover and terrigenous sediment input. In addition, marine sediments also register the hydrographical conditions of the overlying ocean.

This ½-day workshop aims to bring together the leading international scientists in African paleoclimate reconstruction, from both the marine and terrestrial realms, archaeology, paleoclimate modelling as well as experts in monsoon dynamics. The workshop aims to explore the role of Africa in global climate change throughout the geological past, the present and the future. Consequences for marine and terrestrial ecosystems will be illuminated. Contributors are encouraged to present recent results from either terrestrial or marine archives, climate modelling and/or data analysis.

The workshop will be limited to 40 participants.
Later this year the convenors plan to organise a follow-up three-days' workshop that will continue to discuss African paleoclimate on a somewhat broader international platform.

Preliminary program:
Wednesday (3 October): workshop
Thursday (4 October): session B2: African response to global change

(last update: 15 May 2007)