Using remote sensing approach and surface landscape conditions for optimization of watershed management in Mediterranean regions

Climate change/variability and hydrological modelling studies in Zimbabwe: a review of progress and knowledge gaps

“…Three main applications of RS in hydrological modelling presented in numerous studies can be summarised as, (1) model parameter estimation with the aid of multi/hyper-spectral satellite data; (2) computation of historic monthly runoff using satellite data as input; and (3) real-time flood forecasting using radar rainfall measurements as input [ 280 , 281 ]. In this regard, many researchers have used GIS and RS in hydrological modelling studies aimed at optimisation of catchment management in the Mediterranean regions [ 282 ], water resources management in India [ 283 , 284 ], forest hydrology [ 285 – 287 ], assessing water quality vis-à-vis human activities in Korea [ 288 ], monitoring small dams in semi-arid regions [ 289 , 290 ] and general parameterisation of hydrological models [ 273 , 291 – 293 ]. GIS and RS have been noted to have a major advantage of accurately sizing and characterising catchments in rainfall-runoff modelling over and above the fact that analysis can be performed much faster, especially when there are complex mixtures of land use classes and different soil types [ 294 ].…”

Water resource management at catchment scales using lightweight UAVs: current capabilities and future perspectives

“…Soil moisture is recognized as important in governing hydrological functioning at catchment scales (Wainwright et al 2011;Brocca et al 2012), and to improve understanding of this, new and improved methods for fine-scale monitoring at catchment and (or) basin level are needed (Mahmood 1996;Ludwig et al 2003;Brocca et al 2012). Remote sensing offers a familiar and mature scientific tool for monitoring water resources (Pultz and Scofield 2002;Schmugge et al 2002;Jeniffer et al 2010;Makhamreh 2011;Alexakis et al 2013). However, whilst the repeat coverage offered by Earth observation satellites is attractive for landscape monitoring over large spatial extents, data are frequently too coarse in either their spatial, temporal, or spectral resolution (Ludwig et al 2003;Gowda et al 2008) to be useful for effective decision-making about catchment-scale WRM.…”

A Participatory GIS Approach for Assessing Land Suitability for Rainwater Harvesting in an Arid Rangeland Environment

“…Therefore, there is a need for robust methodology that enables the assessment of the potential for rainwater harvesting and to identify areas that are suitable for this technique (Makhamreh, 2011;Mbilinyi et al, 2007;Patrick, 1997). The methodology should identify rainwater harvesting requirements based on criteria judged by experts, but should also consider that these could be changed if conditions are changed.…”

“…For larger areas the application of geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing could be the most relevant means (Makhamreh, 2011;De Pauw et al, 2007;Prinz et al, 1998). However, planning for large scale implementation requires quantitative information and knowledge of the spatial distribution of the land characteristics-data which are often unavailable for arid environments .…”