Analysis of Observed and Projected Climate Change and Variability in Wheat Production Belts of Southeastern Oromia, Ethiopia

Agriculture is the main economic activity in the southeastern region of Oromia, Ethiopia. Food insecurity in this area is attributed to low agricultural productivity, primarily due to unfavorable climatic conditions. To identify climate change patterns and develop appropriate adaptation strategies,...

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Main Authors: Yared Tesfaye, Nigussie Dechassa, Yibekal Alemayehu, Dereje Ademe Birhan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:International Journal of Agronomy
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ioa/7226297
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author Yared Tesfaye
Nigussie Dechassa
Yibekal Alemayehu
Dereje Ademe Birhan
author_facet Yared Tesfaye
Nigussie Dechassa
Yibekal Alemayehu
Dereje Ademe Birhan
author_sort Yared Tesfaye
collection DOAJ
description Agriculture is the main economic activity in the southeastern region of Oromia, Ethiopia. Food insecurity in this area is attributed to low agricultural productivity, primarily due to unfavorable climatic conditions. To identify climate change patterns and develop appropriate adaptation strategies, it is essential to analyze long-term climate trends at the local level. This study examined baseline (1994–2023) and midcentury (2024–2059) rainfall and temperature data for selected locations in southeastern Ethiopia. Midcentury climate data for eight GCMs operating under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 were obtained from the MarkSim database. The magnitude and significance of climate parameters were determined using Sen’s slope estimator and Mann–Kendall tests, respectively. The Mann–Kendall trend test results for annual, seasonal, and monthly rainfall revealed a noteworthy (p < 0.05) declining pattern at most stations during both the baseline and subsequent periods. The interannual temperature and rainfall variations were assessed. Using the rainfall anomaly index (RAI), precipitation concentration index (PCI), standard precipitation index (SPI), and variability coefficient. The findings revealed that rainfall in the region is generally low and highly variable, with a mean minimum annual rainfall of 747.76 mm and a mean maximum of 1206.5 mm at Sinana and Bore stations. However, annual and Kiremt rains revealed a notable (p < 0.005) rising pattern at the Bore station, while rainfall during the Belg season declines at all stations except Wadera and Bore. The CV values for annual (25%), Kiremt (30%), and Belg (71.5%) rainfall indicated elevated interannual fluctuations. The PCI analysis evidence suggested precipitation in the region exhibited moderate (PCI < 15%) to high variability (PCI > 15%) in both space and time, indicating moderate to irregular rainfall distribution and strong seasonality at most stations. The RAI values indicated the occurrence of severe drought at most stations. Similarly, the temperature has increased in all the studied stations throughout the previous 30 years, with an average yearly increase of 0.54°C in minimum temperature and 0.41°C in maximum temperature. Climate change is predicted to possess the highest impact on all stations, posing a significant risk to rainfed crop production. Therefore, it is crucial to use seasonal climate outlooks and implement local-level adaptation methods to mitigate the adverse consequences of climate change in the study stations.
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spelling doaj-art-dc7424caa2ba4521993d7003c20a0cbe2025-08-20T03:49:21ZengWileyInternational Journal of Agronomy1687-81672025-01-01202510.1155/ioa/7226297Analysis of Observed and Projected Climate Change and Variability in Wheat Production Belts of Southeastern Oromia, EthiopiaYared Tesfaye0Nigussie Dechassa1Yibekal Alemayehu2Dereje Ademe Birhan3Department of Plant SciencesFormer Leader of Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity ConservationDepartment of Plant SciencesCollege of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesAgriculture is the main economic activity in the southeastern region of Oromia, Ethiopia. Food insecurity in this area is attributed to low agricultural productivity, primarily due to unfavorable climatic conditions. To identify climate change patterns and develop appropriate adaptation strategies, it is essential to analyze long-term climate trends at the local level. This study examined baseline (1994–2023) and midcentury (2024–2059) rainfall and temperature data for selected locations in southeastern Ethiopia. Midcentury climate data for eight GCMs operating under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 were obtained from the MarkSim database. The magnitude and significance of climate parameters were determined using Sen’s slope estimator and Mann–Kendall tests, respectively. The Mann–Kendall trend test results for annual, seasonal, and monthly rainfall revealed a noteworthy (p < 0.05) declining pattern at most stations during both the baseline and subsequent periods. The interannual temperature and rainfall variations were assessed. Using the rainfall anomaly index (RAI), precipitation concentration index (PCI), standard precipitation index (SPI), and variability coefficient. The findings revealed that rainfall in the region is generally low and highly variable, with a mean minimum annual rainfall of 747.76 mm and a mean maximum of 1206.5 mm at Sinana and Bore stations. However, annual and Kiremt rains revealed a notable (p < 0.005) rising pattern at the Bore station, while rainfall during the Belg season declines at all stations except Wadera and Bore. The CV values for annual (25%), Kiremt (30%), and Belg (71.5%) rainfall indicated elevated interannual fluctuations. The PCI analysis evidence suggested precipitation in the region exhibited moderate (PCI < 15%) to high variability (PCI > 15%) in both space and time, indicating moderate to irregular rainfall distribution and strong seasonality at most stations. The RAI values indicated the occurrence of severe drought at most stations. Similarly, the temperature has increased in all the studied stations throughout the previous 30 years, with an average yearly increase of 0.54°C in minimum temperature and 0.41°C in maximum temperature. Climate change is predicted to possess the highest impact on all stations, posing a significant risk to rainfed crop production. Therefore, it is crucial to use seasonal climate outlooks and implement local-level adaptation methods to mitigate the adverse consequences of climate change in the study stations.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ioa/7226297
spellingShingle Yared Tesfaye
Nigussie Dechassa
Yibekal Alemayehu
Dereje Ademe Birhan
Analysis of Observed and Projected Climate Change and Variability in Wheat Production Belts of Southeastern Oromia, Ethiopia
International Journal of Agronomy
title Analysis of Observed and Projected Climate Change and Variability in Wheat Production Belts of Southeastern Oromia, Ethiopia
title_full Analysis of Observed and Projected Climate Change and Variability in Wheat Production Belts of Southeastern Oromia, Ethiopia
title_fullStr Analysis of Observed and Projected Climate Change and Variability in Wheat Production Belts of Southeastern Oromia, Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of Observed and Projected Climate Change and Variability in Wheat Production Belts of Southeastern Oromia, Ethiopia
title_short Analysis of Observed and Projected Climate Change and Variability in Wheat Production Belts of Southeastern Oromia, Ethiopia
title_sort analysis of observed and projected climate change and variability in wheat production belts of southeastern oromia ethiopia
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ioa/7226297
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