Papers by Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic
Journal of Water Resources Management, 2024
Reservoir evaporation losses are not negligible, they directly affect the reservoir water supply.... more Reservoir evaporation losses are not negligible, they directly affect the reservoir water supply. This study was undertaken to estimate evaporation losses from the Bontanga reservoir and assess the impact of reservoir evaporation losses on water demand. The Energy balance, Aerodynamic, standard FAO Penman-Monteith, and Blaney-Criddle methods were employed to estimate reservoir evaporation rates during the irrigation season which runs from October to May. The water balance
approach was applied to assess the impact of reservoir evaporation losses on water demand.
In addition to the standard FAO Penman Monteith method, the study demonstrated that Aerodynamic method (R2:0.97) and Energy balance methods (R2:0.95) can accurately estimate the evaporation rate from Bontanga reservoir. The peak and average reservoir evaporation rates were 6.5 mm/day and 5.88 mm/day, respectively. The study also revealed that the seasonal evaporation loss represented 19.61 % of the reservoir capacity. The volume of seasonal reservoir evaporation loss (3,834,576.20 m3) represented 0.46 times the seasonal irrigation water demand and 6.3 times the domestic water demand. ANOVA results (p <0.001) showed that the seasonal water demand from multiple users differed significantly at 5 % level. To sustainably meet the reservoir water demand, it is recommended that programmes such as intensification of afforestation in the catchment area should be promoted as effective reservoir water management strategies. Adoption of these practices could lead to further studies on the effect of catchment vegetation restoration on reservoir
evaporation and sedimentation.
UDS International Journal of Development [UDSIJD], 2023
The ability of smallholder farmers to adapt to changing climatic conditions is crucial in achievi... more The ability of smallholder farmers to adapt to changing climatic conditions is crucial in achieving domestic and global food security. The study analysed the resilience of smallholder lowland rice farmers to climate variability and the factors influencing the resilience of smallholder rice systems in the Savelugu municipality of the northern region of Ghana. The data was obtained using a cross-sectional questionnaire administered to 241 households and focus group discussions. A multi-dimensional Climate resilience index (CRI) was calculated for household resilience and used to determine relevant factors influencing household resilience through multiple regression analysis. Overall household CRI averaged 0.49, with transformative capacity, a major contributor with an index of 0.69, while adaptive and absorptive capacities were 0.45 and 0.33, respectively. The resilience analysis shows that income and food access, regular access to health, reliable access to improved water, agroecological conditions, resource governance and access to basic services are essential to household resilience against climate variability. The regression analysis results suggest that farmers' age, cropping diversity, households' primary income, plot position, soil quality, flooding, market access and FBO membership influence household resilience to climate variability. To be effective, policies to improve smallholder farmer resilience to climate variability must include diverse strategies allowing farmers the flexibility of selecting a combination of strategies that suits their socioeconomic and contextual situations; depart from farm-specific and technology-centric interventions to include other value chain dimensions and must address the climatic and non-climatic stressors confronting farmers concurrently to achieve the desired impact.
The increase in illegal gold mining (galamsey) activities that harm the environment by polluting ... more The increase in illegal gold mining (galamsey) activities that harm the environment by polluting water sources necessitates the need to take meaningful steps towards protecting the environment.The Jacobu water system in the Amansie Central district was selected as a case study. The purpose of the work is to assess the environmental sustainability of groundwater resource and whether surface water pollution has seeped into the water table to pollute groundwater resource. Methodologically, the study employed groundwater sustainability assessment framework, involving both linear and non-linear sustainability index functions, as well as analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Four groundwater sustainability aspects of quantity, quality, ecosystem and management were assessed. Also, thirteen groundwater sustainability indicators were created for the study. Using the linear sustainability index function, the environmental sustainability index was 0.845, which indicates an excellent level. For the assessment to properly reflect the reality in the study area, the combined linear and non-linear sustainability index function revealed a good level, 0.765, showing an environmentally good overview of Jacobu groundwater resource. This, therefore, suggests the need to ensure continuous protection of groundwater resource. Generally, the study area has not yet experience hydromorphic dispersion of polluted surface water into groundwater resources. For a sustainable groundwater in the future, strict control measures by enforcing environmental laws and regulations to prevent possible pollution of groundwater resource due to &#39;&#39;galamsey&#39;&#39; activities is critical to protect the invisible resource. This can be done through community engagement, and innovative approaches to monitoring and controlling illegal mining activities. This is to help sustain future generation&#39;s security of the &#39;invisible&#39; groundwater resource in Ghana and contributes to Goal 6 (Ensuring Access to Clean Water and Sanitation) of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.
Trabajo presentado en el XVI European Society for Agronomy Congress (ESA 2020, "Smart Agricu... more Trabajo presentado en el XVI European Society for Agronomy Congress (ESA 2020, "Smart Agriculture for great human challenges"), celebrado en Sevilla del 1 al 4 de septiembre de 2020
&lt;p&gt;Rural households and farming communities in developing economies of the global S... more &lt;p&gt;Rural households and farming communities in developing economies of the global South are increasingly developing their agricultural operations and are becoming more (urban) market oriented. Growing higher value crops is essential for their further development. However, climate and weather-related risks are also growing which reduces farming productivity. A vital adaptation strategy is to become better informed about weather and climate variability and change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Planning of farming activities (e.g. choice of crops, planting date, irrigation, pesticide and fertilizer application, etc.) in many developing countries, used to rely on experiential knowledge of climatic patterns and weather variability. Farmers used to possess knowledge on, for example, when the first rains arrive and how much water is likely to become available and when to expect floods. However, increased hydro-climatic variability as a result of climate change makes farmer predictions increasingly uncertain and farmers are threatened by extreme conditions resulting in crop failure, pest and disease outbreak.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Participatory climate information services can reduce these uncertainties and support farm activities. It can offset climate change impacts, increase adaptive capacity of local vulnerable farmers, unlock their farm potential and build resilient and sustainable farming systems in developing areas of the global South.&lt;/p&gt;
… the traditional way: …, 2004
This chapter discusses resource tenure in relation to conservation of biodiversity. It does so ma... more This chapter discusses resource tenure in relation to conservation of biodiversity. It does so mainly on the basis of information from studies carried out under the People, Land Management and Environmental Change (PLEC) project between the years 1993 and 2001 in Ghana. It ...
environmental challenges, 2024
The increase in illegal gold mining (galamsey) activities that harm the environment by polluting ... more The increase in illegal gold mining (galamsey) activities that harm the environment by polluting water sources necessitates the need to take meaningful steps towards protecting the environment.The Jacobu water system in the Amansie Central district was selected as a case study. The purpose of the work is to assess the environmental sustainability of groundwater resource and whether surface water pollution has seeped into the water table to pollute groundwater resource. Methodologically, the study employed groundwater sustainability assessment framework, involving both linear and non-linear sustainability index functions, as well as analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Four groundwater sustainability aspects of quantity, quality, ecosystem and management were assessed. Also, thirteen groundwater sustainability indicators were created for the study. Using the linear sustainability index function, the environmental sustainability index was 0.845, which indicates an excellent level. For the assessment to properly reflect the reality in the study area, the combined linear and non-linear sustainability index function revealed a good level, 0.765, showing an environmentally good overview of Jacobu groundwater resource. This, therefore, suggests the need to ensure continuous protection of groundwater resource. Generally, the study area has not yet experience hydromorphic dispersion of polluted surface water into groundwater resources. For a sustainable groundwater in the future, strict control measures by enforcing environmental laws and regulations to prevent possible pollution of groundwater resource due to ''galamsey'' activities is critical to protect the invisible resource. This can be done through community engagement, and innovative approaches to monitoring and controlling illegal mining activities. This is to help sustain future generation's security of the 'invisible' groundwater resource in Ghana and contributes to Goal 6 (Ensuring Access to Clean Water and Sanitation) of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.
United Nations University Press eBooks, 2004
19.5 Diversity and heterogeneity indices for various land-use forms (for three plot sizes) in Tan... more 19.5 Diversity and heterogeneity indices for various land-use forms (for three plot sizes) in Tano-Odumasi demonstration site. .. . 19.6 Number of species in common among individual land-use forms in 20 ϫ 20 m plots in Tano-Odumasi demonstration site. .. .. 19.7 Number of species in common among individual land-use forms in 5 ϫ 5 m plots in Tano-Odumasi demonstration site. .. .. .. 19.8 Number of species in common among individual land-use forms in 1 ϫ 1 m sub-subplots in Tano-Odumasi demonstration site. 19.9 Species similarity values within individual land-use forms in 20 ϫ 20 m plots in Tano-Odumasi demonstration site. .. .. .. 19.10 Species similarity values within individual land-use forms in 5 ϫ 5 m plots in Tano-Odumasi demonstration site. .. .. .. .. 19.11 Species similarity values within individual land-use forms in 1 ϫ 1 m sub-subplots in Tano-Odumasi demonstration site. . .
Acta horticulturae, Mar 1, 2013
Environmental and sustainability indicators, Sep 1, 2023
Proceedings of the 2nd West Africa Society of Agricultural Engineering. International Conference ... more Proceedings of the 2nd West Africa Society of Agricultural Engineering. International Conference on Agricultural Engineering
SAR Journal - Science and Research
CROPWAT 8.0 model was used to estimate the water requirement of pineapple for the 2021/22 croppin... more CROPWAT 8.0 model was used to estimate the water requirement of pineapple for the 2021/22 cropping period, considering all the months in the year. This was done to ascertain which months in the year have lower irrigation water requirements and where water savings can be made. For the months of December to August, irrigation requirement (mm) of 140, 145.1, 113.3, 110.8, 110.9, 145.9, 107.6 and 114, respectively was determined at the study site. However, sucker planting in September, October and November has shown requirements (mm) of 72.8, 61.3, 61.4 respectively, and adjusting the planting calendar to accommodate these months is recommended.
Environmental Technology & Innovation
United Nations University and the Australian National University, Mar 1, 2005
, when PLEC News and Views the project was one year old. UNU then funded the whole of PLEC with $... more , when PLEC News and Views the project was one year old. UNU then funded the whole of PLEC with $US 50,000 a year, and although useful supplements were found, it was 1996 before this changed. PNV set out to provide networking information within the project, which in 1993 was composed of five clusters, and to inform selected others about the project. It was intended to carry news, short reports and a correspondence section which never developed. Within two years it was already carrying substantial articles and activity reports by members, as well as full reports on meetings and the accelerating search for major funding. The papers soon became the most important part of PNV, offering a publication outlet to project authors who did not find it easy to face the formidable review process of the international journals, or who felt that their material was of insufficient consequence for such publication. We were less daunting. Although an early decision was taken not to turn PNV into a refereed journal, the papers were all subjected to a strong editorial process. Some were rejected, and others substantially rewritten. The result was a large number of good papers from most parts of the project. The first paper by a student member of PLEC was published as early as 1995. From among those written up to 2000, 12 were selected for reprinting with or sometimes without editorial change in the project's handsomely praised book Cultivating Biodiversity (2002). Three other papers Cultivating Biodiversity (2002). Three other papers Cultivating Biodiversity were, by permission, reprinted in regular journals.
This 20 th issue of PLEC News and Views will be the last to come in printed form from the Canberr... more This 20 th issue of PLEC News and Views will be the last to come in printed form from the Canberra office which, in its present form, will cease to exist at the end of October. Future issues will come from Tokyo in electronic form, certainly during 2003, and beyond that if there is both demand and support. The new periodical will be prepared in Canberra, and will still carry articles by project members. Issues will go to everyone on the present mailing list for whom we have e-mail addresses. Will others who wish to receive copies electronically please provide e-mail addresses to Brookfield and Liang
Strategies for Building Resilience against Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2018
This book summarizes studies on climate and ecosystem change adaptation and resilience in Africa ... more This book summarizes studies on climate and ecosystem change adaptation and resilience in Africa (CECAR-Africa), a collaboration with the goal of creating an integrated resilience enhancement strategy as a potential model for semi-arid regions across Sub-Saharan Africa by combining climate change and ecosystem change research. The case studies were conducted at multiple scales – local, national, and regional – and incorporate the natural sciences, social sciences and engineering in a transdisciplinary manner while also integrating the needs of local communities. The book chiefly addresses three thematic areas, namely: Forecast and assessment of climate change impacts on agro-ecosystems; Risk assessment of extreme weather hazards and development of adaptive resource management methods; and Implementing capacity development programs for local leaders and practitioners. The collaborative nature of the project and the use of various quantitative and qualitative research techniques and m...
Acta Horticulturae, 2013
Bush grape, (Vitex doniana) is one of the wild fruit plants commonly growing in savanna areas of ... more Bush grape, (Vitex doniana) is one of the wild fruit plants commonly growing in savanna areas of northern Ghana. It is a perennial deciduous plant, which grows into a small tree with rough bark, pale brown or grayish-white in colour. The fruits of the tree are sweet, and are black when ripe. Dagarti speaking ethnic group, known as Dagaabas, mostly found in the Upper Western Region of Ghana, are one of the main users of this fruit in Northern Ghana. The plant, fruits and leaves are locally called 'oon-na tia', 'oon-na' and 'bona-gbe', respectively, in Dagarti language. The berries either mature on the plant, or are harvested by Dagaabas, and buried in the soil for quick and early maturity. These fruits serve as meals for both adults and children at the beginning of the rainy season, when many other foods are not available. In traditional medicine, the bush grape fruit also has medicinal properties, which include the treatment of anemia, jaundice and dysentery. Its leaves make a delicacy vegetable dish of the Dagaaba people. There are traditional songs which give important messages, educating the youth on the importance of the use of the plant and the need to conserve it. Even with the rapid modernization of the traditional way of life and the influx of imported fruits and medicines, the use of the bush grape is still widespread among the Dagaabas, leading to threat of the virtual extinction of the plant in their communities, due to overuse and the lack of systematic cultivation. There is therefore an overwhelming need to protect Vitex spp. trees remaining in the wild, as well as to promote its introduction into local nurseries and home gardens/farms. Necessary research on its uses and benefits is also lacking in Ghana and much work is required in order to sustain and promote its use.
The goal of the project was to develop integrated and user-oriented strategies to safeguard publi... more The goal of the project was to develop integrated and user-oriented strategies to safeguard public health concerns without compromising livelihoods and land and water productivity in wastewater irrigated urban and peri-urban vegetable farming. In this project, assessment ...
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Papers by Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic
approach was applied to assess the impact of reservoir evaporation losses on water demand.
In addition to the standard FAO Penman Monteith method, the study demonstrated that Aerodynamic method (R2:0.97) and Energy balance methods (R2:0.95) can accurately estimate the evaporation rate from Bontanga reservoir. The peak and average reservoir evaporation rates were 6.5 mm/day and 5.88 mm/day, respectively. The study also revealed that the seasonal evaporation loss represented 19.61 % of the reservoir capacity. The volume of seasonal reservoir evaporation loss (3,834,576.20 m3) represented 0.46 times the seasonal irrigation water demand and 6.3 times the domestic water demand. ANOVA results (p <0.001) showed that the seasonal water demand from multiple users differed significantly at 5 % level. To sustainably meet the reservoir water demand, it is recommended that programmes such as intensification of afforestation in the catchment area should be promoted as effective reservoir water management strategies. Adoption of these practices could lead to further studies on the effect of catchment vegetation restoration on reservoir
evaporation and sedimentation.
approach was applied to assess the impact of reservoir evaporation losses on water demand.
In addition to the standard FAO Penman Monteith method, the study demonstrated that Aerodynamic method (R2:0.97) and Energy balance methods (R2:0.95) can accurately estimate the evaporation rate from Bontanga reservoir. The peak and average reservoir evaporation rates were 6.5 mm/day and 5.88 mm/day, respectively. The study also revealed that the seasonal evaporation loss represented 19.61 % of the reservoir capacity. The volume of seasonal reservoir evaporation loss (3,834,576.20 m3) represented 0.46 times the seasonal irrigation water demand and 6.3 times the domestic water demand. ANOVA results (p <0.001) showed that the seasonal water demand from multiple users differed significantly at 5 % level. To sustainably meet the reservoir water demand, it is recommended that programmes such as intensification of afforestation in the catchment area should be promoted as effective reservoir water management strategies. Adoption of these practices could lead to further studies on the effect of catchment vegetation restoration on reservoir
evaporation and sedimentation.