Modelling the impact of land use/cover changes on water balance of a humid equatorial highland catchment in Southwestern Uganda, East Africa
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Date
2022-11Author
Loy, Turyabanawe Gumisiriza
Geofrey, Gabiri
Bernard, Barasa
Geoffrey, Mukisa
Claire, Nabatta
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This study investigates impact of land use/cover change on water balance of River Mitano catchment in Southwestern Uganda using SWAT model. Land use/cover changes were assessed using three land use maps for years of 2000, 2010 and 2020. Water fluxes were simulated using observed daily discharge.14.4% of precipitation received is converted into discharge, with base flow (2.9%) and lateral flow (11.8%) major contributors. Conversion of grasslands to cropland and built-up areas were key changes. An increase in cropland (6.8%) and built-up areas (3.0%) at expense of grassland and wetland were noticed, with significant increase in monthly and annual groundwater flow.