Hydroclimatic Variability in the Bilate Watershed, Ethiopia

It is important to understand variations in hydro-meteorological variables to provide crucial information for water resource management and agricultural operation. This study aims to provide comprehensive investigations of hydroclimatic variability in the Bilate watershed for the period 1986 to 2015...

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Main Authors: Yoseph Arba Orke, Ming-Hsu Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
Series:Climate
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/9/6/98
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author Yoseph Arba Orke
Ming-Hsu Li
author_facet Yoseph Arba Orke
Ming-Hsu Li
author_sort Yoseph Arba Orke
collection DOAJ
description It is important to understand variations in hydro-meteorological variables to provide crucial information for water resource management and agricultural operation. This study aims to provide comprehensive investigations of hydroclimatic variability in the Bilate watershed for the period 1986 to 2015. Coefficient of variation (CV) and the standardized anomaly index (SAI) were used to assess the variability of rainfall, temperature, and streamflow. Changing point detection, the Mann–Kendell test, and the Sen’s slope estimator were employed to detect shifting points and trends, respectively. Rainfall and streamflow exhibited higher variability in the Bega (dry) and Belg (minor rainy) seasons than in the Kiremt (main rainy) season. Temperature showed an upward shift of 0.91 °C in the early 1990s. Reduction in rainfall (−11%) and streamflow (−42%) were found after changing points around late 1990s and 2000s, respectively. The changing points detected were likely related to the ENSO episodes. The trend test indicated a significant rise in temperature with a faster increase in the minimum temperature (0.06 °C/year) than the maximum temperature (0.02 °C/year). Both annual mean rainfall and streamflow showed significant decreasing trends of 8.32 mm/year and 3.64 mm/year, respectively. With significant increase in temperature and reduction in rainfall, the watershed has been experiencing a decline in streamflow and a shortage of available water. Adaptation measures should be developed by taking the increasing temperature and the declining and erratic nature of rainfall into consideration for water management and agricultural activities.
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spelling doaj.art-8f6d13eedc954c4d94c6343446b2114e2023-11-22T00:32:39ZengMDPI AGClimate2225-11542021-06-01969810.3390/cli9060098Hydroclimatic Variability in the Bilate Watershed, EthiopiaYoseph Arba Orke0Ming-Hsu Li1Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP), Earth System Science Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, TaiwanGraduate Institute of Hydrological and Oceanic Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan 320, TaiwanIt is important to understand variations in hydro-meteorological variables to provide crucial information for water resource management and agricultural operation. This study aims to provide comprehensive investigations of hydroclimatic variability in the Bilate watershed for the period 1986 to 2015. Coefficient of variation (CV) and the standardized anomaly index (SAI) were used to assess the variability of rainfall, temperature, and streamflow. Changing point detection, the Mann–Kendell test, and the Sen’s slope estimator were employed to detect shifting points and trends, respectively. Rainfall and streamflow exhibited higher variability in the Bega (dry) and Belg (minor rainy) seasons than in the Kiremt (main rainy) season. Temperature showed an upward shift of 0.91 °C in the early 1990s. Reduction in rainfall (−11%) and streamflow (−42%) were found after changing points around late 1990s and 2000s, respectively. The changing points detected were likely related to the ENSO episodes. The trend test indicated a significant rise in temperature with a faster increase in the minimum temperature (0.06 °C/year) than the maximum temperature (0.02 °C/year). Both annual mean rainfall and streamflow showed significant decreasing trends of 8.32 mm/year and 3.64 mm/year, respectively. With significant increase in temperature and reduction in rainfall, the watershed has been experiencing a decline in streamflow and a shortage of available water. Adaptation measures should be developed by taking the increasing temperature and the declining and erratic nature of rainfall into consideration for water management and agricultural activities.https://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/9/6/98rainfalltemperaturestreamflowvariabilitychanging pointsMann–Kendall test
spellingShingle Yoseph Arba Orke
Ming-Hsu Li
Hydroclimatic Variability in the Bilate Watershed, Ethiopia
Climate
rainfall
temperature
streamflow
variability
changing points
Mann–Kendall test
title Hydroclimatic Variability in the Bilate Watershed, Ethiopia
title_full Hydroclimatic Variability in the Bilate Watershed, Ethiopia
title_fullStr Hydroclimatic Variability in the Bilate Watershed, Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Hydroclimatic Variability in the Bilate Watershed, Ethiopia
title_short Hydroclimatic Variability in the Bilate Watershed, Ethiopia
title_sort hydroclimatic variability in the bilate watershed ethiopia
topic rainfall
temperature
streamflow
variability
changing points
Mann–Kendall test
url https://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/9/6/98
work_keys_str_mv AT yosepharbaorke hydroclimaticvariabilityinthebilatewatershedethiopia
AT minghsuli hydroclimaticvariabilityinthebilatewatershedethiopia