[en] Floods are natural hazards that most countries cannot estimate the magnitude of disasters they are causing. Information about losses from them is crucial to develop policies for risk reduction. This research aimed at assessing the land-use/land-cover (LULC) effects on the hydrological regimes of the major influent rivers of the lake Kivu. This research aimed at assessing the LULC effects on the hydrological regimes of the major influent rivers of lake Kivu on Rwandan side. To achieve this, the following methodology was used. The exploratory field survey was done around the lake. The LULC tagged image file format (TIFF) of 2000, 2010, and 2020 were analyzed in quantum geographical information system (QGIS) to detect LULC change during each decade, and to weigh the soil conservation service-curve number (SCS-CN) of each subbasin. Six rain-gauge stations data were chosen to develop rainfall intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves for estimating the design storms. The hypothetical 10-year-return-period storms were chosen as the only inputs of the meteorological model. The HEC-HMS model was used to evaluate the effects of LULC variations on the rainfall-runoff response at the end of each decade (2000, 2010, and 2020). The LULC change detection showed that, in 20 years, forested areas, grassland, cropland, water body, and built-up areas were highly changed. The decrease in forest cover (61.4%, 57.3%, and 38.2%) and increase in grassland/cropland (4.4%, 7.9%, and 11.0%); and 31.8%, 32.0%, and 47.8% respectively) have significantly affected the increase in runoff volume in all 17 watersheds [e.g.: 243.08m3/s (46.27mm), 252.62m3/s (47.44mm) and 299.78m3/s (53.07mm) in Musogoro watershed]. Afforestation and riverbank protections can contribute to the reduction of runoff volumes for flood management, and the water pollution from effluents discharged into the lake.
GLOW10 is part of an ongoing series of symposia organized by the GLOW (Great Lakes of the World) Chapter of the Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management Society (AEHMS). It is the silver jubilee event celebrating 25 years of GLOW. The first GLOW symposium was organized more than 1996 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Since then the AEHMS has launched a continuing series of GLOW symposia regularly in order to promote interaction and communication amongst various Great Lakes/Large Lakes researchers across the world. The purpose of GLOW is to establish a global platform where ecosystem-based studies of the structure, function and performance of Great Lake ecosystems are promoted, organized and synthesized. In addition, GLOW propagates ecosystem science-based management from an integrated, multi-trophic and multi-disciplinary perspective.
GLOW10 is the eighth of the series organized in the African continent. The AEHMS always co-organizes GLOW conferences with local hosts with regional knowledge to improve participation of African scientists. The AEHMS is proud to be partnering with the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), the African Center for Aquatic Research and Education (ACARE) and the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI), to promote the health of the African Great Lakes. The AEHMS is delighted to collaborate with its partners in an international exchange of ideas and peer reviewed high quality publications.
We are indeed pleased to report that GLOW10 had overwhelming response. Selected presentations will form the basis of an interesting GLOW program in Dar es Salaam. Later it is planned to publish selected papers in special issues of the journal, Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management (AEHM) published jointly with Michigan Statue University Press, USA and/or a book under the Ecovision World Monograph Series published by AEHMS and Michigan State University Press.
We greatly appreciate the assistance of Organizing, Scientific and Local Arrangements Committees towards the facilitation of this meeting. Sincere thanks to the AEHMS secretariat (Jennifer Lorimer, Lisa Elder) for their assistance in all aspects of the organization of GLOW10.
We are optimistic that the GLOW10 symposium in the beautiful surroundings of Dar es Salaam, will be a productive, scientific and interesting experience generating new ideas, energy and momentum for the continued success of the AEHMS-GLOW Chapter and its future activities.
