Irrigated cropland expansion exacerbates the urban moist heat stress in northern India

Guo, Q., Zhou, X., Satoh, Y., & Oki, T. (2022). Irrigated cropland expansion exacerbates the urban moist heat stress in northern India. Environmental Research Letters 17 (5) e054013. 10.1088/1748-9326/ac64b6.

[thumbnail of Guo_2022_Environ._Res._Lett._17_054013.pdf]
Preview
Text
Guo_2022_Environ._Res._Lett._17_054013.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Agricultural irrigation has significantly reshaped the land surface energy and water balance. Previous studies have well investigated its cooling effect on air temperature (Tair). However, its effect on increasing air humidity which can intensify the humid heat was often overlooked, particularly over urban areas with high population density, high Tair, and consequently greater exposure to moist heat stress. In this study, using state-of-the-art reanalysis data at a high spatial resolution (∼9 km), we evaluated how changes in area equipped for irrigation (AEI) around a city affect urban moist heat stress (UMHS) in more than 1000 cities in China and India. In addition to Tair, wet-bulb temperature (TWB) and wet-bulb globe temperature (TWBG), which consider humidity and are closer to the perceived temperature, were assessed. We found that although AEI expansion lowers urban Tair, irrigation increases TWB and TWBG due to increased air humidity, thereby exacerbating the UMHS. This 'warming' effect of irrigation is more evident in northern India where AEI has expanded significantly in recent decades, and is prominent in the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, when precipitation and air humidity are low. However, this effect is not evident in China due to the lower intensity of AEI expansion and differing climatic conditions. Overall, this study highlights the side-effect of irrigation on regional climate, providing crucial information for better understanding urban heat stress and for future city planning.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: air humidity; irrigation; moist heat stress; urban; wet-bulb temperature
Research Programs: Biodiversity and Natural Resources (BNR)
Biodiversity and Natural Resources (BNR) > Water Security (WAT)
Depositing User: Luke Kirwan
Date Deposited: 08 Jun 2022 14:26
Last Modified: 08 Jun 2022 14:26
URI: https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/18054

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item