Analysis of streamflow response to land use and land cover changes using satellite data and hydrological modelling: case study of Dinder and Rahad tributaries of the Blue Nile (Ethiopia–Sudan)
Understanding the land use and land cover changes (LULCCs) and their implication on surface hydrology of the Dinder and Rahad basins (D&R, approximately 77 504 km<sup>2</sup>) is vital for the management and utilization of water resources in the basins. Although there are man...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2017-10-01
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| Series: | Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
| Online Access: | https://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/21/5217/2017/hess-21-5217-2017.pdf |
| Summary: | Understanding the land use and land cover changes (LULCCs) and their
implication on surface hydrology of the Dinder and Rahad basins
(D&R, approximately 77 504 km<sup>2</sup>) is vital for the
management and utilization of water resources in the
basins. Although there are many studies on LULCC in the Blue Nile Basin, specific studies on LULCC in the D&R are still
missing. Hence, its impact on streamflow is unknown. The objective
of this paper is to understand the LULCC in the Dinder and Rahad and
its implications on streamflow response using satellite data and
hydrological modelling. The hydrological model has been derived by
different sets of land use and land cover maps from 1972, 1986, 1998 and
2011. Catchment topography, land cover and soil maps are derived
from satellite images and serve to estimate model
parameters. Results of LULCC detection between 1972 and 2011
indicate a significant decrease in woodland and an increase in
cropland. Woodland decreased from 42 to 14 % and from 35 to
14 % for Dinder and Rahad, respectively. Cropland increased from
14 to 47 % and from 18 to 68 % in Dinder and Rahad,
respectively. The model results indicate that streamflow is affected
by LULCC in both the Dinder and the Rahad rivers. The effect of
LULCC on streamflow is significant during 1986 and 2011. This could
be attributed to the severe drought during the mid-1980s and the recent
large expansion in cropland. |
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| ISSN: | 1027-5606 1607-7938 |