Rainy season precipitation trends over motloutse watershed in semi-arid eastern Botswana (1989-2019): implications on groundwater resources and sustainability

Lentswe, Gaolatlhe Bhutto , Molwalefhe, Loago

2025-12-31 GEOCARTO INTERNATIONAL 2025   40(卷), 1(期), (null页)

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This study examined trends in rainy season precipitation over the Motloutse Watershed using remotely sensed Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS-V2.0) data spanning the 1989/1990 to 2018/2019 hydrological years. Monthly precipitation data for twelve localities were extracted and validated against observations from Mmashoro and Bobonong meteorological stations, archiving R2 values of 74 and 60%, respectively. The Interquartile range (IQR) method was applied to assess spatial and temporal variability in rainfall, whilst the modified Mann-Kendall and Theil-Sen's estimator detected the presence and quantum of trend in rainfall, respectively. The results revealed upward temporal trends, particularly in March, indicating progressively wetter conditions towards the end of the rainy season. Spatial trends revealed upward trends across all localities, with rainfall increases of 0.21 mm per annum in the lower reaches to 6.05 mm per annum in the headwaters. Statistically significant spatial trends were concentrated in the headwater areas, while other localities exhibited insignificant trends. This study supports evidence-based planning for water resource and climate resilience in data-scarce environments.