The Effect of Papyrus Wetlands on Flow Regulation in a Tropical River Catchment

Alem Oyarmoi, Stephen Birkinshaw (), Caspar J. M. Hewett and Hayley J. Fowler
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Alem Oyarmoi: School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
Stephen Birkinshaw: School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
Caspar J. M. Hewett: School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
Hayley J. Fowler: School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-25

Abstract: Africa has the largest area of wetlands of international importance, and papyrus constitutes the most dominant species for many of these wetlands. This hydrological modelling study assesses and quantifies the impacts of these papyrus wetlands on historical baseflow and quickflow, as well as future flood and low flows in the Mpologoma catchment in Uganda. Assessment over the historic period shows that wetlands strongly attenuate quickflow while moderately enhancing baseflow. They play a moderating role in most months, except for the first dry season (June and July), due to the reversal of flows between wetlands and rivers that often occur during this period. Annual estimates show that wetlands are four times better at regulating quickflow than baseflow. Examination of changes at 2 and 4 °C global warming levels (GWLs) indicate that wetlands will play critical roles in mitigating flood risks, with a lesser role in supporting low flows. Wetlands are predicted to lower future mean flood magnitude by 5.2 and 7.8% at GWL2 and GWL4, respectively, as well as halving the average number of flood events in a year, irrespective of the warming level. This work shows that papyrus-dominated wetlands strongly influence catchment hydrology, with significant roles on quickflow, including floods, and highlights the need for their conservation and protection.

Keywords: papyrus wetlands; hydrological regulating services; Wetland-Specific Index; flood flows; low flows (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:12:p:2158-:d:1298875

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