Graduation Term

2021

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Committee Chair

Wondwosen Seyoum

Abstract

The Sudd is the largest wetland system in Africa and one of the largest tropical wetlands in the world. Climate and human impact in this region potentially affect the influx to the Sudd and the wetland. The objective of this project was to understand the impact climate could have on the Sudd Wetland. Climate data, temperature and rainfall, were analyzed from regions upstream from the Sudd to observe how the wetland responds to variation in the climate. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data was used to project the changes in vegetation of the wetland to see its response to upstream influence by climate parameters. Spatial and temporal trends show increasing trends in rainfall and temperature that were compared with NDVI data to assess the impact climate has on the Sudd. When focusing on drought-like conditions, it is apparent the Sudd responds to changes in its freshwater supplies. Conclusive evidence from this paper could be used to assess water policy and management in the region while protecting key parts of the hydrologic cycle.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2021.20211012065805567529.999963

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