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Author Weerahewa, J.; Timsina, J.; Wickramasinghe, C.; Mimasha, S.; Dayananda, D.; Puspakumara, G.
Title Ancient irrigation systems in Asia and Africa: Typologies, degradation and ecosystem services Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Agricultural Systems Abbreviated Journal
Volume 205 Issue Pages 103580
Keywords Agriculture, Climate change, Hydrology, Village tank cascade system, Tank irrigation, Watershed
Abstract CONTEXT Ancient irrigation systems (AISs) have been providing a multitude of ecosystem services to rural farming and urban communities in Asia and Africa, especially in arid and semi-arid climatic areas with low rainfall. Many AISs, however have now been degraded. A systematic analysis of AISs on their typologies, causes of degradation, and their ecosystem services is lacking. OBJECTIVE The objective of this review was to synthesize the knowledge on AISs on their typologies, status and causes of degradation, ecosystem services and functions, and identify gaps in research in Asia and Africa. METHOD A critical review of peer-reviewed journal papers, conference and workshop proceedings, book chapters, grey literature, and country reports was conducted. Qualitative and quantitative information from journal papers were used to conceptualize the typologies and analyze the status and causes of degradation, and ecosystems services and functions provided by the AISs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Based on the review, we classified AISs into three groups by source of irrigation water: Rainwater harvesting system (RHS) with small reservoirs, ground water based system, and floodwater based system. The RHSs, which used to receive reliable rainfall and managed by well cohesive social organizations for their maintenance and functioning in past, have now been silting due to extreme rainfall pattern and breakdown of the cohesive organizations in recent decades. In ground water based systems, indiscriminate development of deep tube wells causing siltation of channels has been a major challenge. In floodwater irrigation systems, irregular rainfall in the highlands and the breakage of irrigation structures by destructive floods were the main causes of degradation. Lack of maintenance and increased soil erosion, inadequate skilled manpower, and declining support from the government for repair and maintenance were the main causes of degradation of all AISs. The main ecosystem service provided by all AISs is water for agriculture. In tank- and pond-based systems, fish farming is also practiced. Tank irrigation systems provide various types of provisioning, regulatory, cultural and supporting services, especially in India and Sri Lanka. Ground water based systems provide water for domestic purposes and various cultural services. Floodwater based systems provide water for power generation and wildlife habitat maintenance and help in flood control. SIGNIFICANCE The knowledge generated through the review provide evidence-based information, and help aware governments, private sectors and development agencies for improved policy planning and decision making, and prioritizing the restoration, rehabilitation, and management of various AISs.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0308-521x ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes (up) Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Weerahewa2023103580 Serial 275
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Author Vushe, A.; Amutenya, M.
Title Investigating nitrate retention capacity, elementary and mineral composition of Kalahari sandy soils at Mashare farm in Namibia, Okavango river basin Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Scientific African Abbreviated Journal
Volume 6 Issue Pages 00193
Keywords Irrigated field, Cultivated Kalahari sandy soil, Leaching, Nitrate retention capacity, Quartz mineral, Water saturated
Abstract Kalahari sands which cover a large part of Southern Africa and extend into Central Africa are infertile and marginal soils for intensive agriculture. Therefore, high nitrogen fertilisation rates may degrade ecosystems of rivers with catchments covered by the Kalahari sands. A study on Mashare Farm located in the Okavango River basin showed that irrigated Kalahari sandy soils had a nitrate retention capacity, which enabled the soil to resist nitrate leaching in water saturated conditions. The irrigated soils were modified by agricultural activities; hence this study investigated if uncultivated and cultivated Kalahari sand soils had similar nitrate retention properties. The elementary composition of the soils was investigated for obtaining an insight into chemical properties that may be causing the nitrate retention capacity. A permeameter was used to leach out nitrates from irrigated and uncultivated soil samples, and nitrate concentrations were measured on the leaching effluent from the permeameter. Elemental analysis was done on the cultivated and the uncultivated soil samples using a Scanning Electron Microscope, a portable X-Ray Fluorescence analyzer, and an X-Ray Diffraction machine, and the later was also used for crystalline structure analyses. Sieve analyses confirmed that the Mashare’s cultivated and uncultivated topsoils were similar, and both were similar to Botswana Kalahari topsoil. The irrigated and cultivated subsoil had a higher average nitrate retention capacity of 76% compared to 73% for the uncultivated subsoil. Both samples had the same elements, although the proportions were different. Both soil samples were dominated by a quartz mineral, but the field soil had traces of palygorskite. The presence of aluminum and transition metals outside the minerals structure, but as coatings on the quartz sand grains enhanced nitrate retention capacity properties of the Kalahari sand soils.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2468-2276 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes (up) Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ VUSHE2019e00193 Serial 277
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Author Heaton, T.H.E.
Title Sources of the nitrate in phreatic groundwater in the western Kalahari Type Journal Article
Year 1984 Publication Journal of Hydrology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 67 Issue 1 Pages 249-259
Keywords
Abstract Elevated levels of nitrate occur in phreatic groundwater in the western Kalahari, Namibia. Nitrate in water containing 0.4–3.1 meq NO−3l−1, of widespread occurrence, has δ15N values in the range +4.9 to +8.0‰, suggesting natural derivation from the soil. The sporadic occurrence of very high levels of nitrate (> 4 meq NO−3l−1), which has δ15N between +9.3 to +18.7‰, reflects pollution derived from animal waste. The importance of considering the possible isotopic effects of denitrification, and the significance of leaching in the nitrogen budget of the Kalahari soil, are also discussed.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-1694 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes (up) Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Heaton1984249 Serial 278
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Author Stone, A.E.C.; Edmunds, W.M.
Title Naturally-high nitrate in unsaturated zone sand dunes above the Stampriet Basin, Namibia Type Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication Journal of Arid Environments Abbreviated Journal
Volume 105 Issue Pages 41-51
Keywords Kalahari, Namibia, Nitrate in the unsaturated zone, Stampriet Basin, Transboundary basin, Unsaturated zone recharge
Abstract Elevated groundwater nitrate levels are common in drylands, often in excess of WHO guidelines, with concern for human and animal health. In light of recent attempts to identify nitrate sources in the Kalahari this paper presents the first unsaturated zone (USZ) nitrate profiles and recharge rate estimates for the important transboundary Stampriet Basin, alongside the first rainfall chemistry records. Elevated subsurface nitrate reaches 100–250 and 250–525 mg/L NO3–N, with NO3–N/Cl of 4–12, indicating input above evapotranspiration. Chloride mass balance recharge rates range from 4 to 27 mm/y, indicating a vertical movement of these nitrate pulses toward the water table over multi-decadal timescales. These profiles are sampled from dune crests, away from high concentrations of animals and without termite mounds. Given low-density animal grazing is unlikely to contribute consistent spot-scale nitrate over decades, these profiles give an initial estimate of naturally-produced concentrations. This insight is important for the management of the Stampriet Basin and wider Kalahari groundwater. This study expands our knowledge about elevated nitrate in dryland USZs, demonstrating that it can occur as pulses, probably in response to transient vegetation cover and that it is not limited to long-residence time USZs with very limited downward moisture flux (recharge).
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0140-1963 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes (up) Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Stone201441 Serial 279
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Author Vogel, J.C.; Talma, A.S.; Heaton, T.H.E.
Title Gaseous nitrogen as evidence for denitrification in groundwater Type Journal Article
Year 1981 Publication Journal of Hydrology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 50 Issue Pages 191-200
Keywords
Abstract By investigating the nitrate, oxygen, nitrogen and argon concentrations and 15N14N ratios in artesian groundwater with radiocarbon ages ranging up to 27,000 yr. a process of very slow denitrification in a confined aquifer is demonstrated. The calculated nitrogenisotope fractionation factor associated with this reaction is comparable to that reported for bacterial cultures in vitro and in vivo.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-1694 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes (up) Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Vogel1981191 Serial 280
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Author Wilson, G.B.; McNeill, G.W.
Title Noble gas recharge temperatures and the excess air component Type Journal Article
Year 1997 Publication Applied Geochemistry Abbreviated Journal
Volume 12 Issue 6 Pages 747-762
Keywords
Abstract The calculation of a groundwater recharge temperature based on the dissolved concentrations of Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe requires a correction for noble gas supersaturation due to excess air entrainment. This entrainment is commonly attributed to the recharge process or to air contamination at the wellhead during sample collection. With the exception of some local studies, most work has concentrated on interpretation of the recharge temperature or quantification of the radiogenic content for palaeoclimatic and dating purposes. The magnitude and source of the excess air is not directly relevant to these studies and so is often ignored. In this work, excess air Ne and other data have been calculated from new and published noble gas data sets for several groundwater systems. For younger groundwaters which have been recharged under one broad climatic regime, the amount of air entrainment increases according to lithology in the order granites, sandstones and limestones respectively. A negative correlation between precipitation and excess air entrainment is identified in at least one aquifer, and some of the mechanisms which may influence the entrainment process are discussed.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0883-2927 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes (up) Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Wilson1997747 Serial 281
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Author Heaton, T.H.E.; Talma, A.S.; Vogel, J.C.
Title Origin and history of nitrate in confined groundwater in the western Kalahari Type Journal Article
Year 1983 Publication Journal of Hydrology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 62 Issue 1 Pages 243-262
Keywords
Abstract Data are presented for nitrate, dinitrogen and argon concentrations and 15N14N ratios in groundwater, with radiocarbon ages up to 40,000 yr. for three confined sandstone aquifers in the western Kalahari of South West Africa/Namibia. The nitrate is probably generated within the soil of the recharge areas, and its production rate during the period 3000-40,000 B.P. has remained between 0.5 and 1.6 meq NO−3l−1 of recharge water, with ° 15N between + 4 and + 8‰. Variations in the amount of nitrate and of “excess air” in groundwater recharge are found, and can only reflect changes in the environmental conditions during recharge. They must therefore be caused by the climatic changes that have taken place during the past 25,000 yr.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-1694 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes (up) Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Heaton1983243 Serial 282
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Author Illgen, M.; Ackermann, H.
Title Type Book Chapter
Year 2019 Publication Urban Flood Prevention: Technical and Institutional Aspects from Chinese and German Perspective Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 173-193
Keywords
Abstract Today’s cities face the challenge of climate change adaptation worldwide. In this context, prevention of damage caused by flash floods plays an important role. This requires a cooperative pluvial flood risk management approach, which includes planning, technical, and administrative measures and involves preliminary flood risk analyses. This article outlines the main components of this risk management approach, which has proven its effectiveness in Europe. The recommendations formulated for this purpose are applicable or adaptable to regions with other constraints, such as China, for example.
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Publisher Springer International Publishing Place of Publication Cham Editor Köster, S.; Reese, M.; Zuo, J.’e
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-3-030-01488-9 Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes (up) Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Illgen2019 Serial 87
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Author Severi, A.; Masoudian, M.; Kordi, E.; Roettcher, K.
Title Discharge coefficient of combined-free over-under flow on a cylindrical weir-gate Type Journal Article
Year 2015 Publication ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 21 Issue 1 Pages 42-52
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Abstract
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Taylor & Francis Place of Publication Editor
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Notes (up) Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ doi:10.1080/09715010.2014.939503 Serial 88
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Author de Jong, I.J.H.; Arif, S.S.; Gollapalli, P.K.R.; Neelam, P.; Nofal, E.R.; Reddy, K.Y.; Röttcher, K.; Zohrabi, N.
Title Improving agricultural water productivity with a focus on rural transformation* Type Journal Article
Year 2021 Publication Irrigation and Drainage Abbreviated Journal
Volume 70 Issue 3 Pages 458-469
Keywords irrigation efficiency, water productivity, rural transformation, efficacité de l’irrigation, productivité de l’eau, transformation rurale
Abstract ABSTRACT As a result of population growth, economic development and climate change, feeding the world and providing water security will require important changes in the technologies, institutions, policies and incentives that drive present-day water management, as captured in Goal 6.4 of the Millennium Development Goals. Irrigation is the largest and most inefficient water user, and there is an expectation that even small improvements in agricultural water productivity will improve water security. This paper argues that improvements in irrigation water productivity involves a complex and comprehensive rural transformation that goes beyond mere promotion of water saving technologies. Many of the measures to improve water productivity require significant changes in the production systems of farmers and in the support provided to them. Looking forward, water use and competition over water are expected to further increase. By 2025, about 1.8 billion people will be living in regions or countries with absolute water scarcity. Demand for water will rise exponentially, while supply becomes more erratic and uncertain, prompting the need for significant shifts of inter-sectoral water allocation to support continued economic growth. Advances in the use of remote sensing technologies will make it increasingly possible to cost-effectively and accurately estimate crop evapotranspiration from farmers’ fields.
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Notes (up) Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2451 Serial 89
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