Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Meteorology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya
Githui, F., Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium; Mutua, F., Department of Meteorology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya; Bauwens, W., Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
The SWAT model was used to investigate the impact of land-cover changes on the runoff of the River Nzoia catchment, Kenya. The model was calibrated against measured daily discharge, and land-cover changes were examined through classification of satellite images. Land-cover change scenarios were generated, namely the worst- and best-case scenarios. Historical land-cover change results showed that agricultural area increased from 39.6 to 64.3% between 1973 and 2001, while forest cover decreased from 12.3 to 7.0%. A comparison between 1970-1975 and 1980-1985 showed that land-cover changes accounted for a difference in surface runoff ranging from 55 to 68% between the two time periods. The land-cover scenarios used showed the magnitude of changes in runoff due to changes in the land covers considered. Compared to the 1980-1985 runoff, the land-cover scenarios generated changes in runoff of about -16% and 30% for the best and worst case scenarios respectively. Copyright © 2009 IAHS Press.
Agricultural areas; CLUE-S; Daily discharge; Forest cover; Land cover; Land-cover change; Satellite images; Soil and water assessment tool; Surface runoffs; SWAT; SWAT model; Time periods; Western Kenya; Worst case scenario; Catchments; Runoff; Water; Landforms; catchment; land cover; land use change; modeling; runoff; satellite imagery; Africa; East Africa; Kenya; Sub-Saharan Africa
