AMMA-CATCH observatory: upper Oueme mesoscale site (14 000 km2) in the sudanian climate zone, Benin

The Benin meso-scale site of the AMMA-CATCH observatory coincides with the upper basin of the Oueme River. It is centered on 9°5N et 2°E, and covers an area of about 15 000 km². It belongs to the « sudanian » climatic zone (1200 mm/year on avergage). The land cover is mainly composed of mixed crop/fallow, tree savannah landscape, and woodlands. It is representative of the land cover and land use at this latitude.
Time series of rainfall and river discharge are available since 1997. Site equipment improved progressively including meteorological, hydrogeological, and ecological observations. Most instruments were made perennial since the launch of the AMMA international experiment in 2005.