Varghese et al. (2026) Disentangling hydroclimatic and irrigation controls on vegetation photosynthesis variability in India

Identification

• Journal: Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-12
• Authors: Roma Varghese, Jasti S. Chowdary, C. Gnanaseelan
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecohyd.2026.100811

Research Groups

Climate Variability and Prediction, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Pune 411008, India

Short Summary

This study investigates the roles of hydroclimatic variability and irrigation in modulating photosynthetic activity across India using high-resolution satellite-derived solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) data. The results show that hydroclimatic variations primarily govern large-scale photosynthesis variability in India.

Objective

• Investigate the relationships between hydroclimatic variability, irrigation, and vegetation photosynthesis in India

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Continental scale across India
• Temporal Scale: 2001–2020 period of analysis

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
• Data sources: Satellite-derived solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) data product, rainfall data, soil moisture data, air temperature data

Main Results

• Hydroclimatic variations primarily govern large-scale photosynthesis variability in India
• Irrigation expansion is associated with a significant upward trend in all-India SIF
• Soil moisture exerts the dominant control on vegetation productivity (~58%)
• Rainfall and air temperature also exert significant influences on vegetation productivity

Contributions

• This study enhances vegetation variability predictions in India by disentangling hydroclimatic and irrigation controls
• The findings highlight the critical role of water resource management in sustaining agricultural productivity under a changing monsoon regime

Funding

• Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India (project code: MEoS/2020/01)
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology internal research funding

Citation

@article{Varghese2026Disentangling,
  author = {Varghese, Roma and Chowdary, Jasti S. and Gnanaseelan, C.},
  title = {Disentangling hydroclimatic and irrigation controls on vegetation photosynthesis variability in India},
  journal = {Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.ecohyd.2026.100811},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecohyd.2026.100811}
}