Assessing ecosystem water-use efficiency and its implications for sustainable water resource management in ghana using satellite remote sensing

Abstract

Water scarcity and efficient water resource management are growing concerns in the face of climate change and increasing demands for freshwater. This study focuses on assessing ecosystem water-use efficiency by investigating the ratio of Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) to evapotranspiration within Ghana. The study sought to explain the interactions of vegetation productivity and water use, shedding new light on the efficient use of this precious resource. The current research provides an extensive analysis of the Ecosystem Water-Use Efficiency (WUE) in Ghana, using satellite remote sensing images to map water-stressed regions throughout the country. A spatial analysis by us found that a large area of Ghana, spanning 4090750Ha, had low WUE levels in evidence, typical of water-stressed ecosystems. Of notable interest, the Upper West and Savannah regions had the greatest cover of water-stressed vegetation of 605650Ha and 1263150Ha, respectively, in the grasslands, and the Bono region had a dominance of water stress in the Savana land use category. The OTI region had a special case, wherein both Savannas and riverine vegetation were prone to water stress. These observations highlighted the importance of region-specific, target-led interventions to boost water-use efficiency, conserve ecosystems, and adopt water resource management practices in Ghana.