Impact of landuse and landcover change on the Nasia river catchment hydrology

Water's crucial role in supporting ecosystems and human societies necessitates a deep understanding of its dynamics. In the Nasia River catchment, notable changes in land use and land cover (LULC) require evaluations to inform sustainable water resource management. This study utilizes Remote Sensing and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to evaluate the impact of LULC changes on the catchment's hydrology. Calibration results of the SWAT model demonstrate satisfactory performance, with R 2 and NSE values exceeding 0.8. Over the period from 1987 to 2022, the Nasia catchment experienced a consistent increase in settlements and croplands alongside a decline in natural vegetation. Consequently, surface flow and water yield increased by 6.5% and 1.9%, while groundwater and evapotranspiration decreased by 1.92% and 1.29%, respectively. These findings underscore the significant influence of human activities on hydrological dynamics in the Nasia River catchment, emphasizing the need for integrated land use planning and water management strategies to mitigate adverse impacts on water availability and ecosystem health.