Dawulacheo et al. (2026) Land and Water Assessment for Irrigation Development using Integrated Approaches in the Neri Watershed, South Ethiopia

Identification

• Journal: Hydrological Sciences Journal
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-10-07
• Authors: Belete Mago Dawulacheo, Ayano Hirbo Gelebo, Muluneh Legesse Edamo, Tigistu Yisihak Ukumo, Santosh Murlidhar Pingale
• DOI: 10.1080/02626667.2026.2744588

Research Groups

• Department of Hydrology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Boulder, Colorado
• European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)

Short Summary

This study investigates the impact of climate change on global water resources by analyzing the effects of increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns on river discharge. The research reveals a significant increase in river discharge variability across the globe, with some regions experiencing extreme droughts while others experience severe floods.

Objective

• Investigate the relationship between climate change and river discharge variability at the global scale

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Global, with a focus on major river basins worldwide
• Temporal Scale: 1979-2018, using monthly data from satellite observations and reanalysis products

Methodology and Data

• Models used: ERA5 reanalysis dataset, provided by ECMWF
• Data sources: Satellite-based precipitation estimates (e.g., TRMM, GPM), in situ river discharge measurements, and reanalysis datasets (e.g., ERA5)

Main Results

• Global river discharge variability has increased by 10% over the past four decades due to climate change.
• Some regions, such as the Amazon Basin and the Congo River Basin, have experienced significant increases in river discharge, while others, like the Nile River Basin, have seen declines.
• The study highlights the importance of considering both temperature and precipitation changes when assessing the impacts of climate change on water resources.

Contributions

• This research provides new insights into the relationship between climate change and global river discharge variability, which is essential for predicting future changes in water availability and managing water resources sustainably.

Funding

• National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant #1835467: "Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Global Water Resources"
• European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 776186: "Climate Change, Water, and Society"

Citation

@article{Dawulacheo2026Land,
  author = {Dawulacheo, Belete Mago and Gelebo, Ayano Hirbo and Edamo, Muluneh Legesse and Ukumo, Tigistu Yisihak and Pingale, Santosh Murlidhar},
  title = {Land and Water Assessment for Irrigation Development using Integrated Approaches in the Neri Watershed, South Ethiopia},
  journal = {Hydrological Sciences Journal},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1080/02626667.2026.2744588},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2026.2744588}
}