3.1.2. Spatio-temporal variations and trends in precipitation
The spatial distribution of annual and seasonal precipitation (1901-2013) based on seasonal rainfall climatology of the region (March-May (MAM); June-August (JJA); September-November (SON); and December- February (DJF)) indicate considerable rainfall in the southern and central sections of the basin in DJF and SON periods, respectively (Fig. 3). Just for exploratory purposes, these seasonal distributions are considered for the first and second halves of the century. There is significant amount of rainfall all through the year in the Congo basin except in the JJA period for the south and DJF for the north (Fig. 3). In terms of direct water availability from rainfall, these sections of the Congo basin, including the northern flank can be described as the water tower of central Africa. The evidence of strong spatial distribution of mean monthly and seasonal rainfall in the low elevation areas of the Cuvette central and the in-terconnectedness of multiple stream networks attest to the Congo basin being a freshwater rich hydrological region (Figs. 3 and cf. Figs. 1a-b). Furthermore, the MLRA and analysis of variance show that there is statistically significant change in observed trends (F = 442. 7; p = 0. 000), annual (F = 8. 85; p = 0. 000), and semi-annual (F = 4. 93; p = 0. 002) amplitudes of rainfall during different climatological periods (1901- 1930, 1931- 1960, 1961- 1990 and 1991- 2014) over the Congo basin (Figs. 4a-b). Consistent with Fig. 3, the southern section of the Congo basin is characterized by strong annual amplitudes in rainfall while towards the east, there is considerable mean semi-annual amplitude of rainfall (Fig. 4a).