Surface water area dynamics of the major lakes of Ethiopia (1985–2023): A spatio-temporal analysis

Ethiopian lakes face multiple ecosystem threats from human and natural factors, including climate change. The long-term dynamics of water surface area in many lakes remain unknown. This study presents the first comprehensive account of major Ethiopian lakes’ long-term water surface area dynamics, pr...

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Autores principales: Getaneh, Yonas, Abera, Wuletawu, Abegaz, Assefa, Tamene, Lulseged D.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2024
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/151664
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author Getaneh, Yonas
Abera, Wuletawu
Abegaz, Assefa
Tamene, Lulseged D.
author_browse Abegaz, Assefa
Abera, Wuletawu
Getaneh, Yonas
Tamene, Lulseged D.
author_facet Getaneh, Yonas
Abera, Wuletawu
Abegaz, Assefa
Tamene, Lulseged D.
author_sort Getaneh, Yonas
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Ethiopian lakes face multiple ecosystem threats from human and natural factors, including climate change. The long-term dynamics of water surface area in many lakes remain unknown. This study presents the first comprehensive account of major Ethiopian lakes’ long-term water surface area dynamics, providing essential information for prioritizing hydrological conservation strategies. We extracted the time-series water surface area of the lakes from Landsat images in the Google Earth Engine (GEE), using the Modified Normalized Water Index (MNDWI) and machine learning (Random Forest) methods. Random Forest (RF) outperformed MNDWI across many lakes, especially when water body spectral characteristics became complex. A comparison of the results with the Joint Research Center (JRC) Global Surface Water Mapping Layers showed a good agreement. Long-term water surface area dynamics showed both common and distinct trends. Common trends included: (a) similar recession and expansion periodicities despite lakes being in different climatic zones, (b) an increase in the inter-annual variability of water area after 2000, and (c) a common abrupt point in time (2000/2001). Distinct trends included: (i) long-term decline in five lakes (Abiyata, Langano, Shalla, Chamo, and Hayq), (ii) expansion in three lakes (Ziway, Hawassa, and Abaya), and (iii) non-homogeneous long-term trends in two lakes (Tana and Hardibo). These common and distinct trends show the interplay of climate phenomena and lake-specific factors. Climate factors govern inter-annual lake area change (decreasing/increasing) and recession and expansion cycle periods. The magnitudes of changes and recovery rates after each change cycle vary based on lake-specific factors. We recommend prioritizing conservation efforts for lakes with high water storage degradation risks, as indicated by significant water loss over the historical period and persistent long-term declining trends. This includes Abiyata, Chamo, Shalla, Langano, Hayq, and Hardibo, in order of priority.
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spelling CGSpace1516642025-12-08T10:11:39Z Surface water area dynamics of the major lakes of Ethiopia (1985–2023): A spatio-temporal analysis Getaneh, Yonas Abera, Wuletawu Abegaz, Assefa Tamene, Lulseged D. degradation spatial analysis lakes water analysis Ethiopian lakes face multiple ecosystem threats from human and natural factors, including climate change. The long-term dynamics of water surface area in many lakes remain unknown. This study presents the first comprehensive account of major Ethiopian lakes’ long-term water surface area dynamics, providing essential information for prioritizing hydrological conservation strategies. We extracted the time-series water surface area of the lakes from Landsat images in the Google Earth Engine (GEE), using the Modified Normalized Water Index (MNDWI) and machine learning (Random Forest) methods. Random Forest (RF) outperformed MNDWI across many lakes, especially when water body spectral characteristics became complex. A comparison of the results with the Joint Research Center (JRC) Global Surface Water Mapping Layers showed a good agreement. Long-term water surface area dynamics showed both common and distinct trends. Common trends included: (a) similar recession and expansion periodicities despite lakes being in different climatic zones, (b) an increase in the inter-annual variability of water area after 2000, and (c) a common abrupt point in time (2000/2001). Distinct trends included: (i) long-term decline in five lakes (Abiyata, Langano, Shalla, Chamo, and Hayq), (ii) expansion in three lakes (Ziway, Hawassa, and Abaya), and (iii) non-homogeneous long-term trends in two lakes (Tana and Hardibo). These common and distinct trends show the interplay of climate phenomena and lake-specific factors. Climate factors govern inter-annual lake area change (decreasing/increasing) and recession and expansion cycle periods. The magnitudes of changes and recovery rates after each change cycle vary based on lake-specific factors. We recommend prioritizing conservation efforts for lakes with high water storage degradation risks, as indicated by significant water loss over the historical period and persistent long-term declining trends. This includes Abiyata, Chamo, Shalla, Langano, Hayq, and Hardibo, in order of priority. 2024-08 2024-08-12T20:48:45Z 2024-08-12T20:48:45Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/151664 en Open Access application/pdf Elsevier Getaneh, Y.; Abera, W.; Abegaz, A.; Tamene, L. (2024) Surface water area dynamics of the major lakes of Ethiopia (1985–2023): A spatio-temporal analysis. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation 132: 104007. ISSN: 1569-8432
spellingShingle degradation
spatial analysis
lakes
water analysis
Getaneh, Yonas
Abera, Wuletawu
Abegaz, Assefa
Tamene, Lulseged D.
Surface water area dynamics of the major lakes of Ethiopia (1985–2023): A spatio-temporal analysis
title Surface water area dynamics of the major lakes of Ethiopia (1985–2023): A spatio-temporal analysis
title_full Surface water area dynamics of the major lakes of Ethiopia (1985–2023): A spatio-temporal analysis
title_fullStr Surface water area dynamics of the major lakes of Ethiopia (1985–2023): A spatio-temporal analysis
title_full_unstemmed Surface water area dynamics of the major lakes of Ethiopia (1985–2023): A spatio-temporal analysis
title_short Surface water area dynamics of the major lakes of Ethiopia (1985–2023): A spatio-temporal analysis
title_sort surface water area dynamics of the major lakes of ethiopia 1985 2023 a spatio temporal analysis
topic degradation
spatial analysis
lakes
water analysis
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/151664
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AT aberawuletawu surfacewaterareadynamicsofthemajorlakesofethiopia19852023aspatiotemporalanalysis
AT abegazassefa surfacewaterareadynamicsofthemajorlakesofethiopia19852023aspatiotemporalanalysis
AT tamenelulsegedd surfacewaterareadynamicsofthemajorlakesofethiopia19852023aspatiotemporalanalysis