Comparative Analysis of Climate Variability and Impacts in Central Rift Valley and Adjacent Arsi Highlands Using GIS and Remote Sensing
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
The problem of climate variability is broadly studied currently from various angles that
emanate from seriousness of the problem. The most recent is application of satellite image
that is analyzed through Remote Sensing and GIS that flourished with the development of
Earth Observing satellites. The impact of Climate variability is high in Ethiopia, where
frequencies of extreme events are increasing. The Remote Sensing and GIS based analysis of
climate vulnerability in Ethiopia is inevitable where insufficient amount of data is available.
The study area extends from Peak of Chilalo Mountain to lowlands of Fentalle with the total
area of 7758.3 km2. The focuses on assessing the degree of climate variability, constructing
climate variability index, comparing and contrasting variations in parts of the Rift Valley with
that of adjacent highlands, integrating GIS and Remote sensing application in detecting
climate change and trend analysis, and finally preparing composite climate variability impact
map.. Daily river discharge data for Ketar and Keleta observed from 1980-2009 is also
used to support the analysis. NASA s LANDSAT satellite of 1973, 1986, and 2009 with row
54 and 55 and path 168, have been used. Data analyzed from 22 meteorological stations found
in the study area since 1975-2009 indicates that temperature is getting increased by 0.37oC in
the rift valley and 0.48oC in highland and by 0.4oC in whole areas per 12 years and rain is
constant and shows insignificant rise. Rift valleys are suffering from climate variability than
adjacent highlands though rainfall variation is increasing in highlands than lowlands. In all
this work, various GIS and Remote Sensing softwares have been used. The resultant climate
variability impact map along with the land use land cover can serve local planners and
scientists as a primary source of information and for policy makers.
Key words: Climate Vulnerability and Change, Vulnerability Index, Normalized Maps, Land
Use
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Keywords
Climate Vulnerability and Change, Vulnerability Index, Normalized Maps, Land Use