Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrology of the Upper Awash River Basin, Ethiopia

This study investigated the impacts of climate change on the hydrology of the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia. A soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model was calibrated and validated against observed streamflow using SWAT CUP. The Mann–Kendall trend test (MK) was used to assess climate trends. Meteor...

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Main Authors: Emiru, Nega C., Recha, John W.M., Thompson, Julian R., Belay, Abrham, Aynekulu, Ermias, Manyevere, Alen, Demissie, Teferi Dejene, Osano, Philip M., Hussein, Jabir, Molla, Mikias B., Mengistu, Girma M., Solomon, Dawit
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: MDPI 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/117368
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author Emiru, Nega C.
Recha, John W.M.
Thompson, Julian R.
Belay, Abrham
Aynekulu, Ermias
Manyevere, Alen
Demissie, Teferi Dejene
Osano, Philip M.
Hussein, Jabir
Molla, Mikias B.
Mengistu, Girma M.
Solomon, Dawit
author_browse Aynekulu, Ermias
Belay, Abrham
Demissie, Teferi Dejene
Emiru, Nega C.
Hussein, Jabir
Manyevere, Alen
Mengistu, Girma M.
Molla, Mikias B.
Osano, Philip M.
Recha, John W.M.
Solomon, Dawit
Thompson, Julian R.
author_facet Emiru, Nega C.
Recha, John W.M.
Thompson, Julian R.
Belay, Abrham
Aynekulu, Ermias
Manyevere, Alen
Demissie, Teferi Dejene
Osano, Philip M.
Hussein, Jabir
Molla, Mikias B.
Mengistu, Girma M.
Solomon, Dawit
author_sort Emiru, Nega C.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This study investigated the impacts of climate change on the hydrology of the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia. A soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model was calibrated and validated against observed streamflow using SWAT CUP. The Mann–Kendall trend test (MK) was used to assess climate trends. Meteorological drought (SPEI) and hydrological drought (SDI) were also investigated. Based on the ensemble mean of five global climate models (GCMs), projected increases in mean annual maximum temperature over the period 2015–2100 (compared with a 1983–2014 baseline) range from 1.16 to 1.73 °C, while increases in minimum temperature range between 0.79 and 2.53 °C. Increases in mean annual precipitation range from 1.8% at Addis Ababa to 45.5% over the Hombole area. High streamflow (Q5) declines at all stations except Ginchi. Low flows (Q90) also decline with Q90 equaling 0 m3 s−1 (i.e., 100% reduction) at some gauging stations (Akaki and Hombole) for individual GCMs. The SPEI confirmed a significant drought trend in the past, while the frequency and severity of drought will increase in the future. The basin experienced conditions that varied from modest dry periods to a very severe hydrological drought between 1986 and 2005. The projected SDI ranges from modestly dry to modestly wet conditions. Climate change in the basin would enhance seasonal variations in hydrological conditions. Both precipitation and streamflow will decline in the wet seasons and increase in the dry seasons. These changes are likely to have an impact on agricultural activities and other human demands for water resources throughout the basin and will require the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.
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spelling CGSpace1173682025-08-15T13:22:15Z Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrology of the Upper Awash River Basin, Ethiopia Emiru, Nega C. Recha, John W.M. Thompson, Julian R. Belay, Abrham Aynekulu, Ermias Manyevere, Alen Demissie, Teferi Dejene Osano, Philip M. Hussein, Jabir Molla, Mikias B. Mengistu, Girma M. Solomon, Dawit climate change hydrology agriculture food security soil water This study investigated the impacts of climate change on the hydrology of the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia. A soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model was calibrated and validated against observed streamflow using SWAT CUP. The Mann–Kendall trend test (MK) was used to assess climate trends. Meteorological drought (SPEI) and hydrological drought (SDI) were also investigated. Based on the ensemble mean of five global climate models (GCMs), projected increases in mean annual maximum temperature over the period 2015–2100 (compared with a 1983–2014 baseline) range from 1.16 to 1.73 °C, while increases in minimum temperature range between 0.79 and 2.53 °C. Increases in mean annual precipitation range from 1.8% at Addis Ababa to 45.5% over the Hombole area. High streamflow (Q5) declines at all stations except Ginchi. Low flows (Q90) also decline with Q90 equaling 0 m3 s−1 (i.e., 100% reduction) at some gauging stations (Akaki and Hombole) for individual GCMs. The SPEI confirmed a significant drought trend in the past, while the frequency and severity of drought will increase in the future. The basin experienced conditions that varied from modest dry periods to a very severe hydrological drought between 1986 and 2005. The projected SDI ranges from modestly dry to modestly wet conditions. Climate change in the basin would enhance seasonal variations in hydrological conditions. Both precipitation and streamflow will decline in the wet seasons and increase in the dry seasons. These changes are likely to have an impact on agricultural activities and other human demands for water resources throughout the basin and will require the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures. 2021-12-23 2022-01-06T13:24:21Z 2022-01-06T13:24:21Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/117368 en Open Access MDPI Emiru NC, Recha JW, Thompson JR, Belay A, Aynekulu E, Manyevere A, Demissie TD, Osano PM, Hussein J, Molla MB, Mengistu GM, Solomon D. 2021. Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrology of the Upper Awash River Basin, Ethiopia. Hydrology 9(1):3.
spellingShingle climate change
hydrology
agriculture
food security
soil
water
Emiru, Nega C.
Recha, John W.M.
Thompson, Julian R.
Belay, Abrham
Aynekulu, Ermias
Manyevere, Alen
Demissie, Teferi Dejene
Osano, Philip M.
Hussein, Jabir
Molla, Mikias B.
Mengistu, Girma M.
Solomon, Dawit
Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrology of the Upper Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
title Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrology of the Upper Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
title_full Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrology of the Upper Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
title_fullStr Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrology of the Upper Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrology of the Upper Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
title_short Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrology of the Upper Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
title_sort impact of climate change on the hydrology of the upper awash river basin ethiopia
topic climate change
hydrology
agriculture
food security
soil
water
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/117368
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