Digital Innovation (DIG)

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Current trends in River Bathymetry using UAV-borne technology to inform E-flow assessments in Southern Africa
(Report, 2023-12-01) Singh, K.
Freshwater, constituting a mere 2.5% of Earth's total water, is a critical resource facing escalating competition due to an anticipated global population surge to 9.7 billion by 2050. Southern Africa is characterized by uneven water distribution and quality challenges which exacerbates these issues. Environmental flow (E-flow) management is a crucial approach that quantifies water requirements for maintaining ecological integrity, aiming to balance human and environmental water needs. Including Eflows in management helps to ensure sustainability of water resources River bathymetry is a core part of E-flow assessments. This document reports on core research within a project that delves into management of E-flows in the Limpopo and neighbouring basins in Southern Africa. It covers a scientific investigation to determine optimal water quantities and qualities for river systems and to assist with their management. The report focuses particularly on the use of bathymetric surveys, specifically the need for high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to inform hydraulic modelling. The spatial and temporal variability of bathymetry is crucial for applications ranging from flood risk mitigation to ecosystem studies and for long-term management of E-flow implementation. While traditional Total Station Theodolite (TST) surveys provide accurate ground control points and in the past were the basis for river hydraulic studies, they are limited in scale and efficiency. In situ measurements, despite their accuracy, may lack spatial representativeness and are resource intensive. Remote sensing techniques, particularly Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), offer an alternative for bathymetric data collection driven by their ability to access challenging areas of a river and provide high-resolution data at relatively low cost. To this end, this report focuses on direct methods for bathymetric data collection, exploring optical and acoustic approaches. The primary objective was to explore and investigate UAV-based waterpenetrating surveying techniques to create high-resolution DEMs for hydraulic modelling linked to Eflow studies. A review of recent, relevant literature indicated that airborne laser bathymetry appeared preferential in the context of E-flows, compared to spectrally derived bathymetry, multimedia photogrammetry, Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), and Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) techniques. Currently, the RIEGL VQ-840-GL green lidar sensor appears to be the forefront technology for use in E-flows UAV-borne bathymetric surveys. This research aims to contribute valuable insights into efficient and cost-effective methods for E-flow studies, addressing the growing challenges in water resource management.
Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach: using digital technology to construct accurate 3D hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows
(Report, 2023-12-01) O'Brien, G. C.; Kaiser-Reichel, A.; McNeil, T.; van der Waal, B. W.; Huchzermeyer, N.; Singh, S.; Pringle, J.; Harvey, T. A.; Maharaj, U.; Singh, K.; Cronje, L.
This study presents a comprehensive approach to developing an effective monitoring system for e- flow implementation in river ecosystems using high-resolution 3D modeling and modern sensor technology. The research focuses on the Limpopo and Incomati basins in Southern Africa. Environmental flows (e-flows) represent the volume and quality of water that needs to remain in a river to sustain the ecosystem and hence all those who benefit from a functional ecosystem (thus, society and the economy). The objective of this study is to support the implementation of e-flows around the world which has been poor despite a wide-spread acceptance of the philosophy. While monitoring e-flow volumes (and quality) is a relatively simple matter, monitoring the effectiveness of the prescribed e-flow requires that evidence of a sustained ecosystem is collected, ideally together with evidence of the impact on beneficiaries of that ecosystem. This project investigates whether appropriate digital tools and real-time data could assist with the management, education, awareness and implementation of e-flows. This project includes digital approaches to monitoring the change in river ecosystems following the implementation of e-flows in two river basins in southern Africa, facilitating an adaptive management approach for sustainable water resources management globally. This report documents the development of an e-flow implementation monitoring approach based on a high-resolution 3D model (2D hydraulic modelling) of river sites that would be used to document changes in river ecosystem structure over time. This will be linked to the use of modern sensors that will be attached to fish as well as to hard substrates that will enable real-time monitoring of the ecological acceptability of e-flow implementation including water quantity and quality management. Coupled with this will be an upgrade of the PROBFLO e-flow framework to make it more accessible and usable, thus facilitating the use of the model outputs by basin authorities for long- term e-flow management that would include investigation of future scenarios. The project aims to advance the PROBFLO e-flow framework, integrating 1D, 2D, and 3D hydraulic modeling to understand the intricate relationships between river flow dynamics and habitat availability. The study emphasizes the importance of eco-hydraulic models in predicting river changes and their impact on aquatic habitats, employing advanced survey technologies like LiDAR, ADCP, and hydrographic surveys.
Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring tool: enhancing the usability of the PROBFLO e-flows framework in the Limpopo Catchment
(Report, 2023-12-01) O'Brien, G. C.; Wade, M.; Bembe, M. J.; Slinda, D.; Mashego, T.
This study presents an innovative tool and approach developed to facilitate the adaptive testing or monitoring of e-flow frameworks and environmental flows (e-flows) implementation using digital tools and real-time data to ensure sustainable water resource management. The project, conducted in two river basins in southern Africa, focuses on creating a user-friendly digital Application Tool, integrated with a high-resolution 3D model and modern sensors, to monitor changes in river ecosystems post eflow implementation. The methodology, grounded in the established PROBFLO e-flow frameworks for these two basins, involves an eight-step process to determine e-flows for maintaining sustainable ecosystems and the holistic testing of the socio-ecological consequences of altered flow and non-flow environmental variables. It begins with site selection, considers physico-chemical dynamics, establishes flow-ecosystem relationships, and generates flow scenarios. Utilizing Bayesian Networks (BN), the model evaluates risk or socio-ecological consequences associated with proposed e-flow requirements and any other past, present or future resource development scenario, integrating ecosystem components to ensure the holistic suitability of the determined e-flows. The risk assessment builds on to the ecological components with the including of ecosystem service allowing for the social consequences of altered flows to be evaluated using the same framework. The development of a user-friendly PROBFLO Environmental Framework Assessment (EFA) Tool enables stakeholders to test scenarios and assess risk outcomes without extensive probability or resources specialization expertise. The PROBFLO EFA Tool streamlines data analysis and BN modelling, offering an accessible platform to evaluate e-flow scenarios. While the PROBFLO EFA Tool is still undergoing refinements, its potential to empower users in making informed decisions regarding e-flow management is evident.
Development of the conceptual framework (version 2.0) of the Multidimensional Digital Inclusiveness Index
(Report, 2023-12-31) Martins, Carolina Iglésias; Opola, Felix; Jacobs-Mata, Inga; Garcia Andarcia, Mariangel; Nortje, Karen; Joshi, Deepa; Singaraju, N.; Muller, A.; Christen, R.; Malhotra, A.
The Multidimensional Digital Inclusiveness Index (MDII), initiated by CGIAR's Digital Innovation Initiative, has transformed from a theoretical concept to a practical tool for assessing digital inclusivity in various sectors. Its foundational document guides stakeholders in the Agri-Food, Water, and Land sectors, promoting collaboration and continuous improvement. The MDII is guided by eight principles, including accessibility, transparency, methodological rigor, adaptability, intersectionality, simplicity, flexibility, and clarity. It faces challenges such as complexity and diverse user needs, addressed through Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration, offline accessibility, and a participatory feedback approach. Evolving beyond an index, the MDII now offers multiple functions like certification, predictive analysis, and strategic guidance for digital innovation, using AI to meet future inclusiveness needs. The next steps for the MDII include conducting surveys to refine its framework, developing a comprehensive roadmap, and creating a prototype for stakeholder review.
The enviro-champs: establishing a framework for a technologically upgraded environmental monitoring network at community scale
(Report, 2023-12-31) Pattinson, N. B.; Taylor, J.; Lepheana, A. T.; Dickens, Chris W. S.; Graham, P. M.
The Enviro-Champs initiative was developed as a community driven, citizen science initiative in Mpophomeni township in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), South Africa. Over time, the scope of work done and data collected by the Enviro-Champs has expanded. There is now recognition both locally and globally that the Enviro-Champs initiative shows great promise for national and global upscaling. However, several areas within the initiative remain where it could be improved, especially technologically. GroundTruth, in conjunction with technical and funding support from CGIAR Research Initiative on Digital Innovation and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), engaged in a project which aimed to i) establish recruitment, training, and education tools to support establishment of a technologically integrated and upgraded Enviro-Champs initiative, ii) develop an outline for a training and education workshop for Enviro-Champs once they are hired, iii) improve data collection and reporting capacity and efficiency with a sustainable system (in collaboration with CGIAR and FormShare), and iv) pilot test technological improvements to the Enviro-Champs initiative within the Mpophomeni Enviro-Champs in conjunction with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), and Umgeni Water. The overarching aim was to develop a technologically innovative and upgraded best-practice framework for the Enviro-Champs, from recruitment, through training and data collection, to data management and reporting. The primary outcome was to have a fully functional, digitally improved Enviro-Champs system in Mpophomeni, that could serve as a working template for upscaling the Enviro-Champs initiative elsewhere in Southern Africa or the world. This report reflects the process and outcomes of this project to date.
Enabling environment and digital technology use readiness in agriculture in the Zambezi riparian countries
(Working Paper, 2023-12-31) Matchaya, Greenwell C.; Malambo, M.; Mayoyo, A.
This study sought to understand the extent of digital technology usage across Zambezi riparian countries and analyze whether there is a conducive enabling environment for digital technology upscaling for climate adaptation. The study thus, examined the relationship between having a better enabling environment and the use of digital technologies in agriculture. Using data collected through stakeholder consultations in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe as well desk studies focusing on the rest of the Zambezi riparian countries (Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the study finds that having an enabling environment for the upscaling of digital technologies varies from one Zambezi riparian country to the other, with Botswana and Namibia, having a better enabling environment and, thus a better readiness for digital technology upscaling. Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania have enabling environments that beg for improvement to facilitate large scale adoption and upscaling of digital technology. Other key constraints that undermine the adoption and use of digital technologies across the Zambezi River Basin countries are related to availability, access, affordability, technology design, ease of doing business, cultural and family norms, gender, and poor user skills. The cost of data was observed to be one of the major constraints for digital technology use in climate change adaptation across several countries. Macroeconomic conditions, particularly inflation and lack of foreign exchange, also undermine growth prospects of digital technology adaptation as many of these technologies need to be imported. It is interesting that correlations between enabling environment indicators and digitalization variables appear to reveal a positive relationship signifying that to upscale the use of digital technologies in agriculture, it is critical to address parameters within the enabling environments including, pre-requisite infrastructure, macro-economic stability, policy, and regulatory environment.
Digitally improving the identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates for indices used in biomonitoring
(Report, 2023-12-31) Koen, R. C. J.; Koen, F. J.; Pattinson, N. B.; Dickens, Chris W. S.; Graham, P. M.
This report provides an overview of the mini Stream Assessment Scoring System (miniSASS) and South African Scoring System Version 5 (SASS5) as biomonitoring techniques for assessing the ecological condition of streams and rivers based on the identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates. While miniSASS relies on minimally trained citizen scientists to identify macroinvertebrates at the Order-level, SASS5 utilizes expertly accredited practitioners for finer resolution, even up to the family-level. However, the reliance on citizen scientists for miniSASS identification introduces limitations in terms of precision, accuracy, and reliability. To address these limitations, ongoing developments within the CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation include the creation of a miniSASS smartphone application, an upgraded website, an interactive online course, and a machine-learning identification algorithm to assist with photo identification. Additionally, a revised dichotomous key has been developed to improve operator identification during miniSASS surveys. Furthermore, the potential for upscaling the machine-learning identification algorithm to assist in identifying the 91 family-level taxa used in SASS5 assessments has been explored. The outcomes of these developments and explorations presented in this paper aim to enhance the overall effectiveness and reliability of both the miniSASS and SASS5 techniques. By leveraging digital innovation and incorporating machine-learning technology, we anticipate the efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of biomonitoring assessments will significantly improve, ultimately contributing to a better understanding and management of our aquatic ecosystems.
Digital innovation in citizen science to enhance water quality monitoring in developing countries
(Working Paper, 2023-12-31) Pattinson, N. B.; Taylor, J.; Dickens, Chris W. S.; Graham, P. M.
Freshwater systems are disproportionately adversely affected by the ongoing, global environmental crisis. The effective and efficient water resource conservation and management necessary to mitigate the crisis requires monitoring data, especially on water quality. This is recognized by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, particularly indicator 6.3.2., which requires all UN member states to measure and report the ‘proportion of water bodies with good ambient water quality’. However, gathering sufficient data on water quality is reliant on data collection at spatial and temporal scales that are generally outside the capacity of institutions using conventional methods. Digital technologies, such as wireless sensor networks and remote sensing, have come to the fore as promising avenues to increase the scope of data collection and reporting. Citizen science (which goes by many names, e.g., participatory science or community-based monitoring) has also been earmarked as a powerful mechanism to improve monitoring. However, both avenues have drawbacks and limitations. The synergy between the strengths of modern technologies and citizen science presents an opportunity to use the best features of each to mitigate the shortcomings of the other. This paper briefly synthesizes recent research illustrating how smartphones, sometimes in conjunction with other sensors, present a nexus point method for citizen scientists to engage with and use sophisticated modern technology for water quality monitoring. This paper also presents a brief, non-exhaustive research synthesis of some examples of current technological upgrades or innovations regarding smartphones in citizen science water quality monitoring in developing countries and how these can assist in objective, comprehensive, and improved data collection, management and reporting. While digital innovations are being rapidly developed worldwide, there remains a paucity of scientific and socioeconomic validation of their suitability and usefulness within citizen science. This perhaps contributes to the fact that the uptake and upscaling of smartphone-assisted citizen science continues to underperform compared to its potential within water resource management and SDG reporting. Ultimately, we recommend that more rigorous scientific research efforts be dedicated to exploring the suitability of digital innovations in citizen science in the context of developing countries and SDG reporting.
Inclusion in agri-food systems in Bangladesh: the digital innovation and transformation initiative
(Working Paper, 2023-09-20) Sarker, F.; Mamun, K. A.; Uddin, J.; Ahmed, S.; Nisha, N. A.; Joshi, Deepa
Agriculture has played a crucial role in supporting smallholder livelihoods in Bangladesh. Despite being actively involved in various stages of production, including seed sowing, harvesting, and postharvesting, women's contributions are often undervalued. They are often regarded as a cheap labor force and are not given meaningful roles in the supply and value chains. One of the primary challenges they face is the lack of access to and ownership of land, which results in limited and unequal access to resources such as credit, services, markets, and information on modern technologies. These disparities hinder women's participation in market systems and further widen gender gaps and digital divides. Studies have shown that Bangladesh has one of the highest gender gaps in mobile internet usage among low and middle-income countries. This study examines the gender digital divide in Bangladesh, focusing on the reasons behind women's exclusion from digital information highways and their limited access to, use of, and benefits from internet-based agriculture and climate-related services and innovations. In addition to a comprehensive review of secondary data, we conducted a needs-based assessment using both quantitative and qualitative indicators in three divisions. Qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and key informant interviews. Both the qualitative and quantitative studies shed light on the social, economic, and contextual issues related to the digital ecosystem in the agriculture sector. The assessment also evaluates the effectiveness of public, private, and civil society interventions in the study areas. Our findings reveal that most digital initiatives fail to address the economic gaps and challenges faced by smallholder farmers, poor women, and rural youth. To address these challenges and promote gender equality in agriculture, it is crucial for the government to implement consistent policies across government agencies and develop strategies that prioritize closing digital divides in the agricultural sector.
Hydrological characterization and social dynamics of polders in the Bengal Delta [Abstract only]
(Conference Paper, 2023-12-16) Jampani, Mahesh; Matheswaran, Karthikeyan
Polders in the floodplains of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh play a critical role in supporting intensive agricultural production and the livelihoods of around eight million people. Polderization is promoted to reduce environmental vulnerabilities against flood inundation, coastal erosion, and salinity intrusion. These land areas are low-lying islands consisting mainly of alluvial sediment deposits, and almost half (~1.2 million ha) of the coastal zone in the region is polderized. Agriculture is the primary reason for the polderization of the region, where paddy rice is the major irrigated crop. Around 139 polders in Bangladesh spread across the Gangetic-Brahmaputra delta region, and they altered the delicate balance between human activity and the floodplains' natural hydrological process, resulting in numerous evolving problems. These include the geomorphological evolution of the river channels and flood plains, water logging and drainage congestion within the polder system, sea-level rise, tidal surges, and salinity intrusion. Coastal and inland salinity is a significant problem in these polders, often influencing crop yields and further agricultural productivity and freshwater availability. We explicitly look at two polders to evaluate the distinct socio-hydrological characteristics of these systems. We used several secondary data sources and literature (grey and scientific) to evaluate the hydrological characteristics, groundwater heterogeneity and social dynamics to understand and evaluate the underlying mechanisms and intrinsic links between systems that influence water balance, saline water intrusion, and crop production. The initial results highlight the complex dynamics of the polder system, often influenced by water availability, irrigated water use, seasonality, and, above all, stakeholders' perceptions. Overall, this work provides an improved understanding of the biophysical dynamics and social linkages and sets the basis for implementing a larger detailed socio-hydrological framework.
Options for digital twin application in developing country river basin management: a review
(Working Paper, 2023-11-21) Botai, Joel O.; Ghosh, Surajit; Matheswaran, Karthikeyan; Dickens, Chris; Langa, Nkateko; Garcia Andarcia, Mariangel
A Digital Twin (DT) is a digital representation of reality. This report explores the implementation of DT in the context of basin scale water management, with a particular focus on developing countries. The review begins with an examination of the background of DT and then delves into successful applications of DT particularly in developing nations. It also explores the potential of integrating Virtual Reality (VR) technologies as a part of DT, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder needs assessment for effective deployment. The review highlights the significance of data infrastructure architecture and data governance in the context of Digital Twins. The review concentrates on the published literature and the application of Digital Twins to river basins, emphasizing their role in decision-making at this level and outlining various use cases for water management. Furthermore, it assesses the expected impact of DT through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The review concludes by exploring the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the context of DT for river basins. Overall, this review summarizes the potential benefits and challenges of implementing DT for water management in developing countries.
An index for enabling socially inclusive digital innovation processes in food, land, and water systems
(Report, 2023-11-14) Opola, Felix Ouko; Langan, Simon J.; Singaraju, N.; Arulingam, Indika; Schumann, C.; Jacobs-Mata, Inga; Nortje, Karen
Currently metrics for assessing digital inclusivity focus on evaluating the outcomes of digital innovation rather than the process of developing such innovations. Digital inclusivity has five different dimensions, spanning both technical and social aspects, and therefore requires a holistic approach to attain. We propose a digital inclusivity index as a holistic and standard guideline for enabling digital inclusivity in food land and water systems. Since formal research and development is skewed towards the Global North, such an index may embody the perspectives and interests of organisations based in the Global North, and will therefore require testing, validation and co-development with stakeholders based in the Global South.
Digital innovation with miniSASS, a citizen science biomonitoring tool
(Report, 2023-11-14) Pattinson, N. B.; Russell, C.; Taylor, J.; Dickens, Chris W. S.; Koen, R. C. J.; Koen, F. J.; Graham, P. M.
The mini stream assessment scoring system (miniSASS) was developed as a citizen science biomonitoring tool for assessing the water quality and health of stream and river systems. A miniSASS survey involves sampling the aquatic macroinvertebrate community in a stream or river reach and using the known sensitivities and tolerances of the taxa present to infer information about the water quality and health of the stream or river. The quality of the outcomes of a miniSASS survey is dependent on good sampling technique and accurate identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates by low-skilled citizen scientists. As such, there is potential for errors in sampling and identification which may impact the accuracy of results. In response, we aimed to 1) develop a smartphone application (miniSASS mobile app with built-in machine learning (ML) algorithm for the automatic, real-time identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates) to assist in miniSASS surveys, 2) modernise and upgrade the miniSASS website to handle new data submissions (including photographs) and improve the user interface (UI), and 3) develop an online miniSASS training course. This report presents the methodology and preliminary results pertaining to these objectives.
Beyond the digital divide: a multi-dimensional approach to enabling digital inclusivity in food, land, and water systems
(Report, 2023-11-06) Opola, Felix Ouko; Langan, Simon J.; Arulingam, Indika; Schumann, C.; Singaraju, N.; Joshi, Deepa
In what is proclaimed as the ‘fourth industrial revolution’, digital innovation is thought to have the potential to provide solutions to key challenges facing food production and consumption together with the support of sustainability of the underpinning support of land, and water systems. Nowhere is this more the case in less-industrialised countries, which largely have agrarian based economies. Applications of digital innovations include faster and more reliable communication, better collection, analysis, and storage of data, enhancing democratic processes and transparency in governance, affordable financial services and can provide the basis for decision support. However, there is a risk that people with less formal education and skills and little resource endowments as well as particular groups of people such as women will be excluded from participating or benefiting from digital innovation, the so-called digital divide. In addition, there is a risk that people, communities, and societies may be disadvantaged or harmed by digital innovation processes. Digital inclusivity within food, land and water systems are approaches in digital innovation need to include the differing needs and resources of men, women, youth, indigenous communities who produce most the world’s food in smallholder land holdings. Here we provide the state-of-the-art evidence from peer reviewed literature and other literature in support of these statements. On the basis of this and our wider anecdotal experience we present, a holistic multi-dimensional framework for digital inclusivity. The aim of the digital inclusivity index (and supporting tools) is to provide a resource to guide to transform and change development and application of digital innovations. Specifically, it provides governments, funders, researchers, and development agencies a framework on how to assess, minimise and lessen exclusion from digital innovation. This is achieved through increasing awareness of the characteristics of digital exclusion, recognising the needs of the actors that they target with digital interventions which are more inclusive, making interventions more participatory and mitigating any potential harm that can be caused by digital innovation. We also argue that the approach to digital innovation needs to be set within the context of a wide ranging ‘digital ecosystem’ where different actors contribute knowledge and resources, and digital innovation goes beyond the adoption and use of technologies to include changes in preexisting social arrangement and institutions.
Water accounting under climate change in the transboundary Volta River Basin with a spatially calibrated hydrological model
(Journal Article, 2023-11) Dembélé, Moctar; Salvadore, E.; Zwart, Sander J.; Ceperley, N.; Mariethoz, G.; Schaefli, B.
Sustainable water management requires evidence-based information on the current and future states of water resources. This study presents a comprehensive modelling framework that integrates the fully distributed mesoscale Hydrologic Model (mHM) and climate change scenarios with the Water Accounting Plus (WA+) tool to anticipate future water resource challenges and provide mitigation measures in the transboundary Volta River basin (VRB) in West Africa. The mHM model is forced with a large ensemble of climate change projection data from CORDEX-Africa. Outputs from mHM are used as inputs to the WA+ framework to report on water flows and consumption over the historical baseline period 1991–2020 and the near-term future 2021–2050 at the basin scale, and also across spatial domains including four climatic zones, four sub-basins and six riparian countries. The long-term multi-model ensemble mean of the net inflow to the basin is found to be 419 km3 /year with an inter-annual variability of 11% and is projected to slightly increase in the near-term future (2021–2050). However, evaporation consumes most of the net inflow, with only 8% remaining as runoff. About 4 km3 /year of water is currently used for man-made activities. Only 45% of the available water is beneficially consumed, with the agricultural sector representing 34% of the beneficial water consumption. Water availability is projected to increase in the future due to the increase in rainfall, along with higher inter-model and inter-annual variabilities, thereby highlighting the need for adaptation strategies. These findings and the proposed climate-resilient land and water management strategies can help optimize the water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus and support evidence-based decisions and policy-making for sustainable water management in the VRB.
Accuracy of satellite and reanalysis rainfall estimates over Africa: a multi-scale assessment of eight products for continental applications
(Journal Article, 2023-10) Mekonnen, Kirubel; Velpuri, Naga Manohar; Leh, Mansoor; Akpoti, Komlavi; Owusu, Afua; Tinonetsana, Primrose; Hamouda, T.; Ghansah, B.; Paranamana, Thilina Prabhath; Munzimi, Y.
Study Region: Continental Africa Study Focus: This study evaluates the accuracy of eight gauge-corrected rainfall products across Africa through direct comparisons with in situ observations for the period 2001–2020. The effect of validation datasets on the performance of the rainfall products was also quantified in ten African countries. Four categorical and five continuous metrics were estimated at multiple spatial and temporal scales as part of the evaluation. New hydrological insights for the Region: Results indicate that the performance of the rainfall products varied in space and time. Evaluation at temporal scales revealed that, on average, most rainfall products showed poor results (KGE < 0.35) at the daily timescale. In contrast, RFE v2.0, ARC v2.0, and MSWEP v2.8 were reliable (KGE > 0.75) at the monthly and annual timescales. Among the rainfall products, the performance of TAMSATv3.1, PERSIANN-CDR, and ERA 5 was relatively poor in capturing in situ observations. Evaluation at various spatial scales revealed mixed results. The ARC v2.0 and CHIRPS v2.0 rainfall products were reliable in detecting no rains (< 1 mm/day) for all 19 spatial scales, indicating a high level of confidence for drought studies. IMERG-F v6B and RFE v2.0 were reliable in detecting heavy and high-intensity rainfall events for all spatial scales. Using the KGE performance metrics at the regional level, MSWEP v2.8 in the Northern Africa region, RFE v2.0 in the Western and Southern Africa regions, ARC v2.0 in Central Africa, and CHIRPS v2.0 in the Eastern Africa region showed better performances at monthly timescale. Moreover, the performance of the gauge-corrected rainfall datasets was reduced when compared with independent validation data (gauge data not used by rainfall products) than dependent validation data. This study provides several new insights into choosing a rainfall product for continental to regional applications and identifies the need for bias correction.
Digital climate adaptation in agriculture profile for Zimbabwe
(Report, 2023-06-01) Mayoyo, A.; Chapoto, A.; Matchaya, Greenwell C.; Aheeyar, Mohamed M.M.; Chiwunze, G.; Ebrahim, Girma; Ajayi, Oluyede C.; Afun-Ogidan, Olukemi Dolly; Fakudze, Bhekiwe; Kasoma-Pele, Winnie
Digital adaptation in agriculture profile for Zambia
(Report, 2023-06-01) Malambo, M.; Tembo, M. C.; Chapoto, A.; Matchaya, Greenwell C.; Kasoma-Pele, Winnie; Aheeyar, Mohamed M.M.; Ebrahim, Girma; Ajayi, Oluyede C.; Afun-Ogidan, Olukemi Dolly; Fakudze, Bhekiwe
Spatio-temporal estimation of green and blue water consumptions and water and land productivity using satellite remote sensing datasets and WA+ framework: a case study of the Mahi Basin, India
(Journal Article, 2023-03) Patle, P.; Singh, P. K.; Ahmad, I.; Matsuno, Y.; Leh, Mansoor; Ghosh, Surajit
The agricultural activities contribute to the largest share of water consumption in the arid and semi-arid basins. In this study, we demonstrate the application of Water Accounting Plus (WA+) for estimation of the green water consumption (ETGreen) and blue water consumption (ETBlue) for assessing the water productivity (WP) and land productivity (LP) to identify the bright-spots and hot-spots at the district administrative unit level for effectively managing the scarce water resources and sustaining food security in a highly non-resilient semi-arid basin of India. The WA+ framework uses satellite remote sensing datasets from different sources for this purpose and we used the data from 2003 to 2020. The long-term average of ETGreen and ETBlue in the Mahi basin is found to be 15.8 km3 /year and 12.32 km3 /year, respectively. The blue water index (BWI) and green water index (GWI) in the basin vary from 0.282 to 0.598 and 0.40–0.72. We found that the BWI is highest for the districts of Gujarat, whereas, the GWI is highest for the districts of Madhya Pradesh. The long-term average of the LP and WP for both the irrigated and rainfed cereals in the basin is found as 2287.71 kg/ha & 1713.62 kg/ha and 0.721 kg/ m3 & 0.483 kg/m3 , respectively from 2003 to 2020. The WP (rainfed) of all the districts of the Gujarat is comparatively lower (varying from 0.34 kg/m3 to 0.5 kg/m3 ) than the districts of the Madhya Pradesh (varying from 0.59 kg/m3 to 0.70 kg/m3 ) and the Rajasthan (varying from 0.48 kg/m3 to 0.73 kg/m3 ). Based on the results, we found that the Ratlam district of the Madhya Pradesh has both highest LP and WP (irrigated) as 2573.96 kg/ha and 2.14 kg/m3 , respectively among all the districts of the Mahi basin, and hence it is classified as the ‘Bright spot-district’. The Anand district is found to have the lowest WP and LP as 0.44 kg/m3 and 2467.51 kg/ha, respectively and hence it is classified as the ‘hot spot-district’. For rainfed cereals, we found that the Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh has the highest WP and LP as 0.59 kg/m3 and 1948.13 kg /ha, respectively, and the Anand district with the lowest WP as 0.34 kg/m3 and LP of 1572.21 kg/ha, respectively. Therefore, we classified the Neemach district as the ‘Bright spot-district’ and the Anand district as the hot spot- district for rainfed cereals. These findings will help develop sustainable and actionable agricultural water management plans by the policymakers and stakeholders in the basin.
Lessons for pumped hydro energy storage systems uptake
(Book Chapter, 2023) Domfeh, M. K.; Diawuo, F. A.; Akpoti, Komlavi; Antwi, E. O.; Kabo-bah, A. T.
Pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) has for years been touted as a suitable alternative for balancing the mismatch between demand and supply of electricity. As the world transits from a fossil fuel-based electricity sector to a renewable energy-based one, PHES is also continuously being used to resolve challenges regarding variable or intermittent sources of energy. This chapter presents lessons from countless literature and studies on the global development and market environment of PHES. The study reveals that critical factors such as investing in public-private research, development and deployment, instituting regulatory frameworks that stimulate innovative operation of PHES, increasing digital operation of PHES systems, and retrofitting PHES facilities could foster the uptake and revolutionize the development of PHES.

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