Impacts of Rainfall Variability on Streamflow in the Drylands of Northern Kenya: Assessing Water Availability under a Changing Climate
Journal Title: International Journal of Current Science Research and Review - Year 2024, Vol 7, Issue 05
Abstract
Water availability is a function of climatic and land surface conditions, which determine the amount and distribution of atmospheric water as it reaches the surface. This largely depends on rainfall, whose variability affects water, food and livelihood security. This paper sought to quantify the effects of rainfall variability on water availability in an effort to support effective water resources management. Coefficient of Variation (CV), Standardized Anomaly Index (SAI) and Mann-Kendall trend test approaches were used to assess variability and trends, while correlation and regression analysis were employed to determine effects of rainfall variability on streamflow. A hydrological model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), was used to simulate streamflow with a view to assessing water availability under two climate change scenarios; Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5. Results show that the area experiences moderate to extreme rainfall variability, as indicated by CV and SAI values that ranged from 20 to 99% and -2.5 to +3 respectively, resulting in moderate to extreme floods and droughts that often disrupt livelihoods. Current streamflow simulations (1981 – 2020) indicated increasing trends. Near and far future streamflow volumes will decrease by 15% during the April-May-June season while during October-November-December season they will increase by 13%, compared to the present. Increasing trends of rainfall and streamflow indicate that the area has opportunities for rainwater harvesting while the high variability indicates a need for early warning systems to cushion communities from climatic shocks evidenced by the impacts of climate extremes experienced in the area.
Authors and Affiliations
Stephen K. Rwigi, Gilbert O. Ouma, Clinton O. Ogola, Martha Mugo, Pascalia Kaguara, Luke Olang, Justin Sheffield,
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP735964
- DOI 10.47191/ijcsrr/V7-i5-105
- Views 52
- Downloads 0
The Migration of Organic Chlorine Pesticide Residues in the Composition of the Soil Samples from Mirzaabad, Gulistan and Boyovut Districts of Syrdarya Region
The thin layer chromatography gas chromatography ECD detector was employed to evaluate soil samples and wheat stalks collected during the spring season for the presence of chlorine organic pesticides, namely DDT, DDE, DD...
Marketing Strategy for a Premium Service Office Provider in a Competitive Market in Jakarta. Case Study: The Executive Centre
The rise of remote work, the gig economy, and the demand for flexible workspaces have significantly impacted the traditional office market, necessitating innovative marketing strategies. This study aims to explore the ma...
Strategic Adaptation in Early Childhood Education: A PEST Analysis of RA Fatimah Sriwijaya
This research was conducted to develop the school’s business through external analysis, which involves understanding the external factors affecting the educational environment and using that understanding to create an ef...
Some Basic Solutions to Improve the Effectiveness of Aesthetic Awareness Education for Students of Hue University
Educating aesthetic awareness for Hue University students in the current period is an extremely urgent requirement, requiring the participation of all levels, sectors and the whole society. There must be fundamental solu...
Laboratory Investigation on Permeability Change and Economic Analysis Using Some Selected Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Enhanced oil recovery using nanoparticles is an emerging technique that can potentially alter permeability and wettability of porous media for improved oil mobilization. This study experimentally investigates the permeab...