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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mayaguez, Puerto Rico » Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #340464
Title: Techniques of remote sensing and GIS as tools for visualizing impact of climate change-induced flood in the southern African region

Author
item TWUMASI, YAW - Jackson State University
item MEREM, EDMUND - Jackson State University
item Ayala Silva, Tomas
item OSEI, ALBERT - Oakwood University
item PETJA, BRILLIANT M. - South Africa Water Research Commission
item ALEXANDER, KIA - Texas Department Of Agriculture

Submitted to: Journal of Climate Change
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/27/2017
Publication Date: 6/6/2017
Citation: wumasi, Y.A., Merem, E.C., Ayala Silva, T., Osei, A., Petja, B., Alexander, K. 2017. Techniques of remote sensing and GIS as tools for visualizing impact of climate change-induced flood in the southern African region. Journal of Climate Change. 6:306-327.

Interpretive Summary: This study employs remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) data to picture the effect of climate change caused by flooding in the Southern African region in order to assist managers’ plans for future incidents. In search of this objective, this study uses Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data and Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) satellite land cover images from 2000, 2005, 2013 and 2014 and 2015. The results of the study demontrate notable damages to social and natural environments as well as flood risk zones and watercourses in the study area caused by socio-economic and physical factors. The paper outlines recommendations for the design of a comprehensive Regional Emergency Information System (REIS) with support from the governments in the study area and adjacent countries for monitoring climate change-induced emergencies.

Technical Abstract: This study employs remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) data to visualize the impact of climate change caused by flooding in the Southern African region in order to assist decision makers’ plans for future occurrences. In pursuit of this objective, this study uses Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data and Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) remotely sensed satellite land cover images of 2000, 2005, 2013 and 2014 and 2015. The results of the study revealed notable damages to social and natural environments as well as flood risk zones and watercourses in the study area attributed to socio-economic and physical factors. The paper concludes by outlining policy recommendations in the form of the need for building drainage ditches on the flat plains identified in this study to accommodate flood flows, the design of a comprehensive Regional Emergency Information System (REIS) with support from the governments in the study area and the neighboring countries. The paper conclussions could offer decision makers access to the appropriate spatio-temporal data for monitoring climate change induced emergencies related to seasonal floods.