Remote Sensing and Modelling Based Framework for Valuing Irrigation System Efficiency and Steering Indicators of Consumptive Water Use in an Irrigated Region

Muhammad Usman, Talha Mahmood, Christopher Conrad and Habib Ullah Bodla
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Muhammad Usman: Department of Geoecology, Institute of Geosciences and Geography, University of Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
Talha Mahmood: Department of Geoecology, Institute of Geosciences and Geography, University of Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
Christopher Conrad: Department of Geoecology, Institute of Geosciences and Geography, University of Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
Habib Ullah Bodla: Program Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PMIU), Irrigation Department Punjab, Old Anarkali, Lahore 54000, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-33

Abstract: Water crises are becoming severe in recent times, further fueled by population increase and climate change. They result in complex and unsustainable water management. Spatial estimation of consumptive water use is vital for performance assessment of the irrigation system using Remote Sensing (RS). For this study, its estimation is done using the Soil Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) approach. Performance indicators including equity, adequacy, and reliability were worked out at various spatiotemporal scales. Moreover, optimization and sustainable use of water resources are not possible without knowing the factors mainly influencing consumptive water use of major crops. For that purpose, random forest regression modelling was employed using various sets of factors for site-specific, proximity, and cropping system. The results show that the system is underperforming both for Kharif (i.e., summer) and Rabi (i.e., winter) seasons. Performance indicators highlight poor water distribution in the system, a shortage of water supply, and unreliability. The results are relatively good for Rabi as compared to Kharif, with an overall poor situation for both seasons. Factors importance varies for different crops. Overall, distance from canal, road density, canal density, and farm approachability are the most important factors for explaining consumptive water use. Auditing of consumptive water use shows the potential for resource optimization through on-farm water management by the targeted approach. The results are based on the present situation without considering future changes in canal water supply and consumptive water use under climate change.

Keywords: consumptive water use; performance assessment; indicator importance assessment; water management; Pakistan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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