Clash of Drought Narratives: A Study on the Role of Small Reservoirs in the Emergence of Drought Impacts
Abstract In regions characterized by a high concentration of small reservoirs, there is often public debate about the effectiveness of these structures in locally adapting to and mitigating drought impacts, bearing in mind their potential to modify or induce drought events in downstream areas. In th...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2024-07-01
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| Series: | Earth's Future |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EF004311 |
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| author | Germano G. Ribeiro Neto Lieke A. Melsen Alexandre C. Costa David W. Walker Louise Cavalcante Sarra Kchouk João Paulo Brêda Eduardo S. P. R. Martins Pieter R. vanOel |
| author_facet | Germano G. Ribeiro Neto Lieke A. Melsen Alexandre C. Costa David W. Walker Louise Cavalcante Sarra Kchouk João Paulo Brêda Eduardo S. P. R. Martins Pieter R. vanOel |
| author_sort | Germano G. Ribeiro Neto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In regions characterized by a high concentration of small reservoirs, there is often public debate about the effectiveness of these structures in locally adapting to and mitigating drought impacts, bearing in mind their potential to modify or induce drought events in downstream areas. In this study, we investigated the influence of a Dense Network of Small Reservoirs (DNR) on the emergence and intensification of drought impacts at catchment scale, as well as their local social benefits. This analysis was based on the Socio‐Hydrological‐Agricultural‐Reservoir (SHARE) model, specially developed for this purpose, with a medium‐sized catchment in the semi‐arid region of Brazil as a case study. We identified that, while a DNR can prolong the effects of a hydrological drought on storage in a large strategic reservoir at the catchment outlet by obstructing surface‐runoff connectivity, it plays a crucial role in mitigating drought impacts at a local level. Specifically, the presence of small reservoirs has the potential to boost local agricultural production by up to 5 times compared to scenarios without these structures. In addition, our simulation results suggest there is a notable reduction in the need for emergency water distribution by water trucks in the presence of a DNR. This study highlights the need for a balanced approach to implementing public policies, weighing the local benefits of small reservoirs against the possible downstream impacts on large reservoirs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-01752cf517e54e789c57d9c5da6a24d9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2328-4277 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-07-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Earth's Future |
| spelling | doaj-art-01752cf517e54e789c57d9c5da6a24d92025-01-29T07:58:52ZengWileyEarth's Future2328-42772024-07-01127n/an/a10.1029/2023EF004311Clash of Drought Narratives: A Study on the Role of Small Reservoirs in the Emergence of Drought ImpactsGermano G. Ribeiro Neto0Lieke A. Melsen1Alexandre C. Costa2David W. Walker3Louise Cavalcante4Sarra Kchouk5João Paulo Brêda6Eduardo S. P. R. Martins7Pieter R. vanOel8Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group Wageningen University Wageningen The NetherlandsHydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group Wageningen University Wageningen The NetherlandsUniversity of International Integration of the Afro‐Brazilian Lusophony Redenção BrazilWater Resources Management Group Wageningen University Wageningen The NetherlandsPublic Administration and Policy Group Wageningen University Wageningen The NetherlandsWater Resources Management Group Wageningen University Wageningen The NetherlandsHydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group Wageningen University Wageningen The NetherlandsResearch Institute of Meteorology and Water Resources (FUNCEME) Fortaleza BrazilWater Resources Management Group Wageningen University Wageningen The NetherlandsAbstract In regions characterized by a high concentration of small reservoirs, there is often public debate about the effectiveness of these structures in locally adapting to and mitigating drought impacts, bearing in mind their potential to modify or induce drought events in downstream areas. In this study, we investigated the influence of a Dense Network of Small Reservoirs (DNR) on the emergence and intensification of drought impacts at catchment scale, as well as their local social benefits. This analysis was based on the Socio‐Hydrological‐Agricultural‐Reservoir (SHARE) model, specially developed for this purpose, with a medium‐sized catchment in the semi‐arid region of Brazil as a case study. We identified that, while a DNR can prolong the effects of a hydrological drought on storage in a large strategic reservoir at the catchment outlet by obstructing surface‐runoff connectivity, it plays a crucial role in mitigating drought impacts at a local level. Specifically, the presence of small reservoirs has the potential to boost local agricultural production by up to 5 times compared to scenarios without these structures. In addition, our simulation results suggest there is a notable reduction in the need for emergency water distribution by water trucks in the presence of a DNR. This study highlights the need for a balanced approach to implementing public policies, weighing the local benefits of small reservoirs against the possible downstream impacts on large reservoirs.https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EF004311drought assessmentsocio‐hydrologysmall reservoirsdrought impactssemi‐arid |
| spellingShingle | Germano G. Ribeiro Neto Lieke A. Melsen Alexandre C. Costa David W. Walker Louise Cavalcante Sarra Kchouk João Paulo Brêda Eduardo S. P. R. Martins Pieter R. vanOel Clash of Drought Narratives: A Study on the Role of Small Reservoirs in the Emergence of Drought Impacts Earth's Future drought assessment socio‐hydrology small reservoirs drought impacts semi‐arid |
| title | Clash of Drought Narratives: A Study on the Role of Small Reservoirs in the Emergence of Drought Impacts |
| title_full | Clash of Drought Narratives: A Study on the Role of Small Reservoirs in the Emergence of Drought Impacts |
| title_fullStr | Clash of Drought Narratives: A Study on the Role of Small Reservoirs in the Emergence of Drought Impacts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Clash of Drought Narratives: A Study on the Role of Small Reservoirs in the Emergence of Drought Impacts |
| title_short | Clash of Drought Narratives: A Study on the Role of Small Reservoirs in the Emergence of Drought Impacts |
| title_sort | clash of drought narratives a study on the role of small reservoirs in the emergence of drought impacts |
| topic | drought assessment socio‐hydrology small reservoirs drought impacts semi‐arid |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EF004311 |
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