Climate Change Impact on Water Resources in the Awash Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract

Rapid growth of agriculture, industries and urbanization within the Awash basin, Ethiopia, as well as population growth is placing increasing demands on the basin’s water resources. In a basin known for high climate variability involving droughts and floods, climate change will likely intensify the existing challenges. To quantify the potential impact of climate change on water availability of the Awash basin in different seasons we have used three climate models from Coupled Models Inter-comparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) and for three future periods (2006–2030, 2031–2055, and 2056–2080). The models were selected based on their performance in capturing historical precipitation characteristics. The baseline period used for comparison is 1981–2005. The future water availability was estimated as the difference between precipitation and potential evapotranspiration projections using the representative concentration pathway (RCP8.5) emission scenarios after the climate change signals from the climate models are transferred to the observed data. The projections for the future three periods show an increase in water deficiency in all seasons and for parts of the basin, due to a projected increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation. This decrease in water availability will increase water stress in the basin, further threatening water security for different sectors, which are currently increasing their investments in the basin such as irrigation. This calls for an enhanced water management strategy that is inclusive of all sectors that considers the equity for different users.

Climate change projections in the Awash River Basin of Ethiopia using Global and Regional Climate Models

“…Similarly, the study by Taye et al . () showed a decrease in precipitation from April to June in the mid of 2031–2055 in ARB.…”

“…A study by Taye et al . () predicted an increase in temperature in ARB during the mid and late 2030–2055.…”

Sustainable Water Resources Using Corner Pivot Lateral, A Novel Sprinkler Irrigation System Layout for Small Scale Farms

“…Insufficient farm products for a growing population can be increased by encouraging small estate holders to use pressured irrigation methods which balance and optimize water application efficiency. This is critical, particularly in areas situated at water stressed zones [43], considering water and food insufficiency which leads to poverty. Applying a sprinkler system is expensive where sufficient water is available for farmers, knowing governmental subsidy limitations as well as reimbursement time.…”

Spatial–Temporal Matching Characteristics between Agricultural Water and Land Resources in Ningxia, Northwest China

“…Under the impacts of climate change and land use change, the whole world will have more dependence on agricultural irrigation in the future [3]. Due to urbanization, environmental contamination, climate change and other factors [4,5], land resources and freshwater resources are becoming scarcer, which means a rising competition between agricultural, industrial and urban construction [6]. China has only 7% of the world's cultivated land resources, but provide food for one-fifth of the world's population [7].…”