Weletu et al. (2026) Associations of dry spell characteristics with green and blue water components under rainfed agriculture in the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia

Identification

• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-08
• Authors: Habtamu Adenew Weletu, Mekonen Ayana Gebul, Abebe Demissie Chukalla, Boja Mekonnen Manyazew
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-70667-3

Research Groups

• Mekonnen Ayana Gebul (Mekonnen Ayana Gebul)
• Habtamu Adenew Weletu (Habtamu Adenew Weletu)
• Abebe Demissie Chukalla (Abebe Demissie Chukalla)
• Boja Mekonnen Manyazew (Boja Mekonnen Manyazew)

Short Summary

This study examined the associations between dry spell characteristics and green and blue water dynamics in the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia. The results showed that downstream areas experienced more persistent and intense rainfall interruptions, with longer dry spells concentrated in the southeastern subbasins.

Objective

• Investigate the relationships between intra-seasonal dry spell characteristics and hydrological responses under rainfed agriculture.
• Quantify the associations between dry spell duration, frequency, intensity, and magnitude and green and blue water components.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia (12,400 km²)
• Temporal Scale: 35 years (1990–2024)

Methodology and Data

• Models used: SWAT+ model for hydrological simulations
• Data sources:
  • Daily meteorological data from 10 stations
  • Physiographic datasets
  • Hydro-meteorological data

Main Results

• Downstream areas experienced more persistent and intense rainfall interruptions.
• Longer dry spells were concentrated in the southeastern subbasins.
• Dry spell duration showed a significant association with evapotranspiration (β = -0.83 to -0.51).
• Blue water yield showed spatially varying negative associations.

Contributions

• This study provides a quantitative basis for identifying spatial patterns of hydroclimatic sensitivity relevant to soil-moisture conservation and supplementary irrigation planning.
• The results can inform climate-resilient rainfed agricultural water management in the Upper Awash Basin.

Funding

• Not specified

Citation

@article{Weletu2026Associations,
  author = {Weletu, Habtamu Adenew and Gebul, Mekonen Ayana and Chukalla, Abebe Demissie and Manyazew, Boja Mekonnen},
  title = {Associations of dry spell characteristics with green and blue water components under rainfed agriculture in the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia},
  journal = {Scientific Reports},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-70667-3},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-70667-3}
}