Irrigation cooling effect: opportunities in task of estimation of international irrigation water usage in transboundary River Syrdarya basin, Central Asia

Abstract

The aim of this research was the analysis of long-term and seasonal dynamics of Irrigation Cooling Effect (ICE) of irrigated arable lands in test sites of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in agriculture province “Golodnaya stepp”, located in transboundary River Syrdarya basin. The Land Surface Temperature (LST) FEWS NET (Famine early Warning System Network) product was used for calculation and monitoring (2002- 2019) ICE values. The amount and efficiency of irrigation water usage significantly affects the ICE values. Therefore, long-term (2002-2019) ICE monitoring on arable land Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in “Golodnaya stepp” is important as an objective characteristic of irrigation parameters and their changes during the observation period. Analysis of data from 2002-2019 showed that in the key period (May-June) Uzbekistan's arable land is in a better position. Review of two eras 2003-2010 and 2011-2019 it showed that changes in ICE values are directed at: an increase in May, approximately 2.5° in Uzbekistan and 1.3° in Kazakhstan; an increase in July, 1.3° in Uzbekistan and 2.5° degrees in Kazakhstan; and a decrease in September, approximately 1.5° in Kazakhstan, with stable values in Uzbekistan. Thus, ICE monitoring in arid climates is a useful tool for diagnosing water consumption on arable land in various countries, which is especially important in transboundary river basins.