Infiltration is an important component of the hydrological cycle. It provides soil moisture in the vadose zone to support plant growth. This study was conducted to compare the validity of four infiltration models with measured values from the double ring infiltrometer. The parameters of the four models compared were estimated using the linear regression analysis. The C.C was used to show the performance of the predictability of the models. The RMSE, MAE and MBE were employed to check the anomalies between the predicted and the observed values. The results showed that, average values of the C.C ranged from 0.9294-0.9852. The average values of the RMSE were 4.0033, 17.489, 11.2400 and 49.8448; MAE were 3.1341, 15.9802, 10.6525, and 61.4736; and MBE were 0.0786, 9.5755, −0.0007 and 47.0204 for Philip, Horton, Green Ampt and Kostiakov respectively for the wetland soils. Statistical results also from the Fisher's multiple comparison test show that the mean infiltration rate estimated from the Green Ampt's, Philip's and Horton's model was not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the observed. The results indicated that the Kostiakov's model had the highest deviations as it overestimated the measured data in all the plots. Comparison of the statistical parameters C.C, RMSE, MAE, and MBE for the four models indicates that the Philip's model agreed well with the measured data and therefore, performed better than the Green Ampt's, Horton's and Kostiakov's models respectively in that order for Besease wetland soils. Estimation of infiltration rate by the Philip's model is important in the design of irrigation schemes and scheduling. Therefore, in the absence of measured infiltration data, the Philip's model could be used to produce infiltration information for inland valley bottom
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since its inception in 1994 has been responsible for the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulation in Ghana. Many EIA have been performed on major projects such as mining, dams, gas projects but much has not been done in the mitigation of Carbon Dioxide (CO 2) emissions which is said to be the main driving force of climate change. This reviewed paper therefore proposes the extension of the EIA regulations to small projects or activities such as deforestation, extensive land clearing, small scale mining and emissions from vehicles that have the potential of influencing climate change. The research was carried out by an extensive review of literature, reports, interaction with opinion leaders, lecturers, colleagues and students. The paper has attempted to explain the use of EIA in addressing the numerous environmental challenges by outlining the effect of climate change, EIA procedure in Ghana, the role of EIA in addressing climate change especially the emission of CO 2. It was also established that the principle of EIA could be used to regulate pollution abatement, wastes management, conservation of natural resources, proper agricultural practices, development of clean and efficient energy sources. This application of EIA in climate change mitigation will safeguard the environment and improve the standard of living of the people. The paper concludes with some suggested recommendations.
Water is an important medium for many activities including water for consumptive and non-consumptive purposes. Lack of water quality and quantity does not only hampers socio-economic development but affects agricultural productivity, sustainable development, sanitation, health, industrial development and the ecosystem. The advent of climate change is known to affect water flow, increases dry season spells and drought, and influences reservoirs or deep groundwater wells thus worsening the precarious water situation in Africa. About 1.7 billion of the world population lives in water scarce regions and this is projected to grow to about 300% or 5 billion by 2025 especially in Africa. In Ghana, population growth, pollution of river bodies, high evapotranspiration, erratic rainfall pattern and environmental degradation among others have affected water availability and use. These challenges will therefore require a deliberate water harvesting, integrated water management and conservation, water use efficiency and capacity building to withstand the dwindling trend of water resources in the country. This paper therefore seeks to inform policy makers, stakeholders, institutions responsible for water resources management among others to consider water harvesting as a potential solution to the many challenges including water shortages, floods, and land degradation. The article was carried out through extensive review of literature, official reports and policy documents. It shows the need to adopt appropriate techniques for rainwater harvesting to address the perennial water scarcity in the country.
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