Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, H: Environment & Earth Science, Volume 21 Issue 6

The average (mean) maximum temperature recorded during years (2007 and 2013) was 32.4 o C respectively. The trend equation depicted in the trend chart indicated a goodness of fit of the trend plot, and thus implies a 12% variability in the mean maximum temperature in the study area as indicated by the value of r 2 (0.1243). The results here conform with the work of Okoroha (2018). Source: Author’s computation, 2021. All the annual temperature was reading high with just little variations from 2003.-2018 respectively (fig. 1). This probably could be because of the fact that, it’s a natural phenomenon with natural occurrences (Ayoade, 2004). And the increased temperature could further be traced to agricultural practices as well which resulted to the upsurge of temperature this high in the area. i.e logging down of trees, setting of bushes on fire in search for games could probably be a cause or factors to this high range of temperature witnessed within this period in the study area (J.O Ayoade, 2004). ii. Minimum Temperature Figure2 depicts the nature of the trend of mean minimum temperature in the study area across the time frame under consideration by the researcher. The step downward sloping nature of the trend line indicates a sharp decreasing trend in the mean minimum temperature in the study area. It is however important to note take prior to the decreasing nature of the trend plot, there was a gradual increasing trend in the average (mean) minimum temperature in the study area. This increasing trend was recorded between 2003 and 2010. Explicitly, the year 2003 recorded a mean minimum temperature of 21.7 o C, while the year 2004 recorded a slight decrease, with a mean minimum temperature of 21.5 o C recorded. Compared to the year 2003 and 2004, the year 2005 recorded an increase in the mean minimum temperature in the study area at 22.1 o C, while the year 2006 recorded a slight decline in the mean minimum temperature in the study area. This decline can be regarded as rather less significant and stood at 22 o C. The year 2007 however recorded a slight increase in the average (mean) temperature in the study area. Temperature (mean minimum) recorded this year (2007) was 22.4 o C, while the year 2008 experienced a slight decline (22.1 o C). The fluctuating nature of increase and decline in the mean minimum temperature in the study area was also experienced in the year 2009 and 2010. During these periods, the mean minimum temperature recorded in the study area in 2009 was 22.7 o C, while the year 2010 recorded a decline at 22.4 o C. What is most notable in the trend plot depicted in Figure 4.2 is the rapid and continuous decline in the mean minimum temperature in the study area. This decline began in the year 2011 to 2016. During these periods the mean minimum temperature recorded in the study area were; 21.3 o C in 2011, 21.2 o C in 2012, 20.9 o C in 2013, 20.8 o C in 2014 and 2015, and 20.1 o C in the year 2016. Unlike previous years (2011-2016), the year 2017 and 2018 recorded gradual increase in the mean minimum temperature in the study area. Minimum temperature recorded during these periods were 21.0 o C and 21.1 o C respectively. It is important to state here that the year 2009 recorded the highest mean minimum temperature in the study area (22.7 o C), while the year 2016 recorded the lowest mean minimum temperature in the study area (20.1 o C). The trend equation indicates suggest a goodness of fit of the trend plot, while the y = -0.040x + 114.2 R² = 0.124 32 32.5 33 33.5 34 34.5 35 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Mean Maximum Temperature (oC) Year(s) Mean Maximum Temperature (oC) Linear (Mean Maximum Temperature (oC)) Relationship between Climatic Variables and Incidence of Malaria and Asthma in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria © 2021 Global Journals 1 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXI Issue VI Year 2021 56 ( H ) Version I Fig. 2: Trend Chart of mean maximum temperature ( o C) in the study area