AccScience Publishing / AJWEP / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/AJWEP025180139
Submit to AJWEP
Cite this article
50
Download
802
Views
Journal Browser
Volume | Year
Issue
Search
Forthcoming Issue
Current Issue
View All
News and Announcements
View All
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Impacts of land use and land cover changes on groundwater recharge in the Dire Dawa watershed, Ethiopia

Tariku Takele1* ,  Adula Bayisa2 ,  Muralitharan Jothimani3
Show Less
1 Department of Geology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Dilla University, P.O. Box 419, Dilla, Ethiopia
2 Groundwater resource study and Design, Ministry of Water and Energy, P.O.Box-5744, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
3 Department of Geology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Arba Minch University, P.O. Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
AJWEP, 025180139 https://doi.org/10.36922/AJWEP025180139
Received: 4 May 2025 | Revised: 22 June 2025 | Accepted: 25 June 2025 | Published online: 22 August 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Download PDF
XML
Cite
Abstract

Land use and land cover (LULC) change is a growing global concern, particularly in water-scarce regions, where it directly influences hydrological systems and groundwater sustainability. The Dire Dawa watershed in eastern Ethiopia exemplifies this challenge. This study investigates the impacts of LULC changes on groundwater recharge in the Dire Dawa watershed from 2000 to 2022. The LULC changes were analyzed using ERDAS IMAGINE 2015 and geographic information systems, while the effects on groundwater recharge were assessed using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The performance of the SWAT model was evaluated using the sequential uncertainty fitting 2 technique, demonstrating good model performance, with R2 values of 0.84 (calibration) and 0.79 (validation), Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency values of 0.75 and 0.72, and percent bias values of −0.1 and −11, respectively. The results indicated that, over the 22 years, agricultural land expanded by 52.6%, while built-up areas increased by nearly 79.2%. In contrast, shrublands and forests declined by 23.7% and 62.8%, respectively. These shifts resulted in a 24.5% reduction in groundwater recharge (−48.8 mm/y) and a 19.9% increase in surface runoff (42.8 mm/y). These findings reflect broader regional patterns and emphasize the importance of integrated land and water resource management to support ecological stability and community resilience.

Keywords
Dire Dawa watershed
Land use and land cover change
Groundwater recharge
Soil and water assessment tool
Image processing
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this work or with any institution or organization.
References
  1. Krueger E, Rao PSC, Borchardt D. Quantifying urban water supply security under global change. Glob Environ Change. 2019;56:66-74. doi: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2019.03.00

 

  1. Adger WN, Crépin AS, Folke C, et al. Urbanization, migration, and adaptation to climate change. One Earth. 2020;3(4):396-399. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2020.09.016

 

  1. Takele T, Mechal A, Berhe BA. Evaluation of groundwater recharge potential using geospatial analysis in the Ziway Lake Watershed, Ethiopian Rift: A GIS and AHP-based methodological framework. Environ Sustain Indic. 2025;26:100692. doi: 10.1016/j.indic.2025.100692

 

  1. Ogbu KN, Ndulue EL, Ahaneku IE, Ubah IJ. Evaluation of the impact of climate change on streamflow using SWAT model. ASM Sci J. 2020;13:1-8. doi: 10.32802/asmscj.2020.494

 

  1. Das SK, Ahsan A, Khan M.H.R.B., Tariq M.A.U.R., Muttil, N., Ng, A.W.M. Impacts of climate alteration on the hydrology of the Yarra River Catchment, Australia using GCMs and SWAT model. Water. 2022;14(3):445. doi: 10.3390/w14030445

 

  1. Tola TL, Zhang K, Chukalla AD, et al. Spatiotemporal lakes surface area changes over 35 years and potential causes in the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. J Hydrol Reg Stud. 2024;54:101863. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2024.101863

 

  1. Ware HH, Chang SW, Lee JE, Chung IM. Assessment of hydrological responses to land use and land cover changes in forest-dominated watershed using SWAT model. Water. 2024;16(4):528. doi: 10.3390/w16040528

 

  1. Zhao J, Zhang N, Liu Z, Zhang Q, Shang C. SWAT model applications: From hydrological processes to ecosystem services. Sci Total Environ. 2024;931:172605. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172605

 

  1. Oo HT, Zin WW, Kyi CCT. Analysis of streamflow response to changing climate conditions using SWAT model. Civil Eng J. 2020;6(2):194-209. doi: 10.28991/cej-2020-03091464

 

  1. Mechal A, Birk S, Dietzel M, et al. Groundwater flow dynamics in the complex aquifer system of Gidabo River Basin (Ethiopian Rift): A multi-proxy approach. Hydrogeol J. 2016;25(2):519-538. doi: 10.1007/s10040-016-1489-5

 

  1. Hoogesteger J. Regulating agricultural groundwater use in arid and semi-arid regions of the Global South: Challenges and socio-environmental impacts. Curr Opin Environ Sci Health. 2022;27:100341. doi: 10.1016/j.coesh.2022.100341

 

  1. Hailesilassie W, Tegaye T. Comparative assessment of the water quality deterioration of Ethiopian Rift lakes: The case of Lakes Ziway and Hawassa. Environ Earth Sci Res J. 2019;6(4):162-166. doi: 10.18280/eesrj.060403

 

  1. Mechal A, Takele T, Meten M, Deyassa G, Degu Y. A modeling approach for evaluating the impacts of land use/land cover change for Ziway Lake Watershed hydrology in the Ethiopian Rift. Model Earth Syst Environ. 2022;8(4):4793-4813. doi:10.1007/s40808-022-01472-w

 

  1. Chen P, Ma X, Ma J, et al. Discrepancy and estimates of groundwater recharge under different land use types on the Loess Plateau. J Hydrol Reg Stud. 2024;53:101793. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2024.101793

 

  1. Musie M, Sen S, Chaubey I. Hydrologic responses to climate variability and human activities in Lake Ziway Basin, Ethiopia. Water. 2020;12(1):164. doi: 10.3390/w12010164

 

  1. Zhang Z, Si H, Feng B, Wang Y, Lv M, Wagan B. Research of hydrological responses to land-use variability in a semiarid watershed based on SWAT model. Fresenius Environ Bull. 2014;23(5):1190-1197.

 

  1. Mosase E, Ahiablame L, Park S, Bailey R. Modelling potential groundwater recharge in the Limpopo River Basin with SWAT-MODFLOW. Groundw Sustain Dev. 2019;9:100260. doi: 10.1016/j.gsd.2019.100260

 

  1. Yifru BA, Chung IM, Kim MG, Chang SW. Assessment of groundwater recharge in agro-urban watersheds using integrated SWAT-MODFLOW model. Sustainability. 2020;12(16):6593. doi: 10.3390/su12166593

 

  1. Takele T, Mechal A, Berhe BA. Assessing groundwater potential in the Ziway Lake Watershed using geographical information system, analytic hierarchy process, and drinking water quality index. Glob Chall. 2025;9:2400354. doi: 10.1002/gch2.202400354

 

  1. Trivedi A, Awasthi MK, Nandeha N, Gautam VK, Mehla MK. Addressing water security challenges through groundwater recharge for revival of Kanari River using AHP and geospatial techniques. Discover Water. 2024;4(1):59. doi: 10.1007/s43832-024-00124-7

 

  1. Arnold JG, Srinivasan R, Muttiah RS, Williams JR. Large area hydrologic modeling and assessment part I: model development. J Am Water Resour Assoc. 1998;34(1):73-89. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1998.tb05961.x

 

  1. Wagner PD, Bieger K, Arnold JG, Fohrer N. Representation of hydrological processes in a rural lowland catchment in Northern Germany using SWAT and SWAT+. Hydrol Process. 2022;36(5):e14589. doi: 10.1002/hyp.14589

 

  1. Sakulchai EKS, Charoen SY, Kamolsin YP. Assessment of the impact of land use change on runoff in Lam Phachi Basin using satellite data and SWAT model. Kasetsart Univ J Sci Technol. 2018;7(3):11-26.

 

  1. Desta H, Lemma B. SWAT based hydrological assessment and characterization of Lake Ziway sub-watersheds, Ethiopia. J Hydrol Reg Stud. 2017;13:122-137. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2017.08.002

 

  1. Bucha NM, Goshime DW, Awas AA, Asnake AB. Hydrologic responses contemplating to land use land cover change and water balance of Lake Chamo sub-basin of Ethiopia. Sustain Water Resour Manag. 2024;10(1):29. doi: 10.1007/s40899-023-01003-0

 

  1. Kenea U, Adeba D, Regasa M, Nones M. Hydrological responses to land use land cover changes in the Fincha’a Watershed, Ethiopia. Land. 2021;10(9):916. doi: 10.3390/land10090916

 

  1. Beker BA, Kansal ML. Complexities of the urban drinking water systems in Ethiopia and possible interventions for sustainability. Environ Dev Sustain. 2023;26(2):4629-4659. doi: 10.1007/s10668-022-02901-7

 

  1. Gonza DK, Tekleweld FA, Hishe TG, Shumey EE, Birhane BS. Performance analysis of water meters for measuring domestic water consumption, the case of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Int J Energy Water Resources. 2021;5:405-412. doi: 10.1007/s42108-021-00130-8

 

  1. Tenaw D, Assfaw A. Households willingness to pay for improved urban water supply in Dire Dawa city administration: The role of socio-economic factors and water supply-related perceptions. Sustain Water Resour Manag. 2022;8(1):24. doi: 10.1007/s40899-022-00625-0

 

  1. Erena SH, Worku H. Dynamics of land use land cover and resulting surface runoff management for environmental flood hazard mitigation: The case of Dire Dawa city, Ethiopia. J Hydrol Reg Stud. 2019;22:100598. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2019.100598

 

  1. Tilahun K, Merkel BJ. Estimation of groundwater recharge using a GIS-based distributed water balance model in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Hydrogeol J. 2009;17(6):1443-1457. doi: 10.1007/s10040-009-0455-x

 

  1. Beyene AD, Shumetie A. Green Legacy Initiative for Sustainable Economic Development in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa. Ethiopia: Ethiopian Economic Association (EEA); 2023.

 

  1. Desta H, Fetene A. Land-use and land-cover change in Lake Ziway watershed of the Ethiopian Central Rift Valley Region and its environmental impacts. Land Use Policy. 2020;96:104682. doi: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104682

 

  1. Teklay A, Dile YT, Asfaw DH, Bayabil HK, Sisay K. Impacts of climate and land use change on hydrological response in Gumara Watershed, Ethiopia. Ecohydrol Hydrobiol. 2020;21(2):315-332. doi: 10.1016/j.ecohyd.2020.12.001

 

  1. Foody GM, Mathur A. A relative evaluation of multiclass image classification by support vector machines. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens. 2004;42(6):1335-1343. doi: 10.1109/tgrs.2004.827257

 

  1. Ougahi JH, Karim S, Mahmood SA. Application of the SWAT model to assess climate and land use/cover change impacts on water balance components of the Kabul River Basin, Afghanistan. J Water Clim Change. 2022;13(11):3977-3999. doi: 10.2166/wcc.2022.261

 

  1. Abbaspour KC. SWAT calibration and uncertainty programs: A user manual. 2015;103:17-66.

 

  1. Abbaspour KC, Vejdani M, Haghighat S. MODSIM07 - Land, Water and Environmental Management: Integrated Systems for Sustainability, Proceedings; 2007.

 

  1. Soil Conservation Service (SCS). National Engineering Handbook, Section 4: Hydrology. Department of Agriculture, Washington DC; 1972. p .762.

 

  1. Hargreaves GH, Samani ZA. Estimating potential evapotranspiration. J Irrig Drain Div. 1982;108(3):225-230. doi: 10.1061/jrcea4.0001390

 

  1. Arnold JG, Kiniry JR, Srinivasan R, Williams JR, Haney EB, Neitsch SL. Soil and Water Assessment Tool: Input/Output Documentation. Version 2012. TR-439. United States: Texas Water Resources Institute, College Station; 2012. p. 1-650.

 

  1. Fuka DR, Walter MT, MacAlister C, Steenhuis TS, Easton ZM. SWATModel: A multi-operating system, multi-platform SWAT model package in R. J Am Water Resour Assoc. 2014;50(5):1349-1353. doi: 10.1111/jawr.12170

 

  1. Arnold J, Srinivasan R, Neitsch S, et al. Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) Global Applications. Bangkok, Thailand: World Association of Soil and Water Conservation; 2009.

 

  1. Neitsch SL, Williams JR, Arnold JG, Kiniry JR. Soil and Water Assessment Tool Theoretical Documentation. Version 2009. United States: Texas Water Resources Institute, College Station; 2011.

 

  1. Bailey RT, Park S, Bieger K, Arnold JG, Allen PM. Enhancing SWAT+ simulation of groundwater flow and groundwater-surface water interactions using MODFLOW routines. Environ Model Softw. 2020;126:104660. doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2020.104660

 

  1. Pandit A, Hogan S, Mahoney DT, et al. Establishing performance criteria for evaluating watershed-scale sediment and nutrient models at fine temporal scales. Water Res, 2025;274:123156. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123156

 

  1. Moriasi DN, Gitau MW, Daggupati P, Pai N. Hydrologic and water quality models: Performance measures and evaluation criteria. Trans ASABE. 2015;58(6):1763-1785. doi: 10.13031/trans.58.10715

 

  1. Mengistu AG, Van Rensburg LD, Woyessa YE. Techniques for calibration and validation of SWAT model in data scarce arid and semi-arid catchments in South Africa. J Hydrol Reg Stud. 2019;25:100621. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2019.100621

 

  1. Mechal A, Wagner T, Birk S. Recharge variability and sensitivity to climate: The example of Gidabo River Basin, Main Ethiopian Rift. J Hydrol Reg Stud. 2015;4:644-660. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2015.09.001

 

  1. Jin T, Zhang X, Xie J, Liang J, Wang T. Study on hydrological response of runoff to land use change in the Jing River Basin, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2023;30(45):101075-101090. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-29526-1

 

  1. Lindle J, Villholth KG, Ebrahim GY, Sorensen JPR, Taylor RG, Jensen KH. Groundwater recharge influenced by ephemeral river flow and land use in the semiarid Limpopo Province of South Africa. Hydrogeol J. 2023;31(8):2291-2306. doi: 10.1007/s10040-023-02682-x

 

  1. Dekongmen BW, Anornu GK, Kabo-Bah AT, et al. Groundwater recharge estimation and potential recharge mapping in the Afram Plains of Ghana using SWAT and remote sensing techniques. Groundwater Sustain Dev. 2022;17:100741. doi: 10.1016/j.gsd.2022.100741

 

  1. Awan UK, Ismaeel A. A new technique to map groundwater recharge in irrigated areas using a SWAT model under changing climate. J Hydrol. 2014;519:1368-1382. doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.08.049
Share
Back to top
Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, Electronic ISSN: 1875-8568 Print ISSN: 0972-9860, Published by AccScience Publishing
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here
Accept