Enhancing groundwater resource management through remote sensing and ecohydrological nature-based solutions in Ethiopia

project summary

Our project aims to enhance water resource management in Ethiopia's Lake Hawassa catchment by integrating cutting-edge technologies with sustainable practices. Faced with significant challenges such as water scarcity and quality deterioration due to climate change, our primary goal is to implement Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) strategies to ensure sustainable water availability. We plan to use sophisticated remote sensing techniques combined with deep learning algorithms to identify potential groundwater recharge zones, improving the accuracy of our predictions. Additionally, we will develop advanced geophysical imaging methods to better understand underground water pathways and aquifer structures. Alongside these technologies, we will explore ecohydrological solutions that use nature-based approaches like constructed wetlands or reforestation to enhance groundwater recharge and improve water quality. This integrative approach involves local stakeholders from the onset, ensuring solutions are culturally acceptable and practically implementable. Through training sessions and workshops, we aim to empower local researchers and community members, equipping them with the skills needed to sustain and replicate these solutions, creating a scalable model of water resource management that aligns with global sustainability goals and addresses local needs effectively.