Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 321-343 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| Journal | Hydrological sciences journal |
| Volume | 61 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 17 Dec 2015 |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Abstract
ABSTRACT: This study investigates rainfall characteristics in the Upper Zambezi River Basin and implications for rain-fed agriculture. Seventeen indices describing the character of each rainy season were calculated using a bias-corrected version of TRMM-B42 v6 rainfall estimate for 1998–2010. These were correlated with maize yields obtained by applying a SVATmodel. Finally, a self-organizing map (SOM) was trained to examine multivariate relationships. The results reveal a significant spatio‐temporal variability of rainfall indices and yields, with a gradient from north to south. Yields greater than 1 t/ha are found to be only achievable with rainy seasons longer than 160 days. For shorter durations, the interplay of total rainfall, dry spell frequency and maximum dry/wet spell durations determines agricultural success. Using total rainfall alone or wet day frequency as estimators for yields is insufficient. Alternating wet and dry spells affect yields most negatively. The results have significance in the context of agricultural planning under changing climatic conditions and agricultural planning, as well as for the development of forecasting mechanisms. EDITOR Z.W. Kundzewicz ASSOCIATE EDITOR A. Efstratiadis
Keywords
- maize (Zea mays), rain-fed agriculture, rainfall characteristics, self-organizing map (SOM), TRMM 3B42 v6, Zambezi River Basin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Science(all)
- Water Science and Technology
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Hydrological sciences journal, Vol. 61, No. 2, 2016, p. 321-343.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Rainfall characteristics and their implications for rain-fed agriculture
T2 - a case study in the Upper Zambezi River Basin
AU - Beyer, M.
AU - Wallner, M.
AU - Bahlmann, L.
AU - Thiemig, V.
AU - Dietrich, J.
AU - Billib, M.
N1 - Funding Information: This work was partly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) within the CERPA project under contract number 01UN1007.
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - ABSTRACT: This study investigates rainfall characteristics in the Upper Zambezi River Basin and implications for rain-fed agriculture. Seventeen indices describing the character of each rainy season were calculated using a bias-corrected version of TRMM-B42 v6 rainfall estimate for 1998–2010. These were correlated with maize yields obtained by applying a SVATmodel. Finally, a self-organizing map (SOM) was trained to examine multivariate relationships. The results reveal a significant spatio‐temporal variability of rainfall indices and yields, with a gradient from north to south. Yields greater than 1 t/ha are found to be only achievable with rainy seasons longer than 160 days. For shorter durations, the interplay of total rainfall, dry spell frequency and maximum dry/wet spell durations determines agricultural success. Using total rainfall alone or wet day frequency as estimators for yields is insufficient. Alternating wet and dry spells affect yields most negatively. The results have significance in the context of agricultural planning under changing climatic conditions and agricultural planning, as well as for the development of forecasting mechanisms. EDITOR Z.W. Kundzewicz ASSOCIATE EDITOR A. Efstratiadis
AB - ABSTRACT: This study investigates rainfall characteristics in the Upper Zambezi River Basin and implications for rain-fed agriculture. Seventeen indices describing the character of each rainy season were calculated using a bias-corrected version of TRMM-B42 v6 rainfall estimate for 1998–2010. These were correlated with maize yields obtained by applying a SVATmodel. Finally, a self-organizing map (SOM) was trained to examine multivariate relationships. The results reveal a significant spatio‐temporal variability of rainfall indices and yields, with a gradient from north to south. Yields greater than 1 t/ha are found to be only achievable with rainy seasons longer than 160 days. For shorter durations, the interplay of total rainfall, dry spell frequency and maximum dry/wet spell durations determines agricultural success. Using total rainfall alone or wet day frequency as estimators for yields is insufficient. Alternating wet and dry spells affect yields most negatively. The results have significance in the context of agricultural planning under changing climatic conditions and agricultural planning, as well as for the development of forecasting mechanisms. EDITOR Z.W. Kundzewicz ASSOCIATE EDITOR A. Efstratiadis
KW - maize (Zea mays)
KW - rain-fed agriculture
KW - rainfall characteristics
KW - self-organizing map (SOM)
KW - TRMM 3B42 v6
KW - Zambezi River Basin
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84958886415&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/02626667.2014.983519
DO - 10.1080/02626667.2014.983519
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84958886415
VL - 61
SP - 321
EP - 343
JO - Hydrological sciences journal
JF - Hydrological sciences journal
SN - 0262-6667
IS - 2
ER -