Abstract
Climate defines the viability of an area for aquaculture at the macro-scale (extensive) level as it dictates water temperature and water quantity in a location that in turn affects fish productivity. Temperature and rainfall data from 1980 to 2016 were analyzed and compared among the different regions of Uganda (Central, Eastern, Northern, and Western) using the Seasonal Mann Kendall Times Series and the 12-month Standard Precipitation Index (SPI). These data were used in the computation of monthly water requirements of the different regions. A positive upward temperature trend for all regions except the Eastern region (p = 0.4222, tau b = 0.027) showed increase of aquaculture production the future. The 12-month SPI showed all regions having near normal SPI (-0.99 to 0.99) but with the Central region having highest SPI and the western region with the lowest SPI. The Central region had the lowest monthly water requirement compared to other regions which was attributed to lower temperatures and lower evaporation rates compared to others. Overall, potential climate effects on aquaculture are not a major issue in the country if climate smart strategies are adopted. That is; water harvesting during the rainy seasons for use in drier periods and planning of the fish production cycle so that the period of water deficit coincides with fish harvest or pond preparation.
Highlights
The World Meteorological Organization [1] defines climate as the measurement of the mean and variability of relevant quantities of certain variables over a period of 30 years or more
The Central region had the lowest monthly water requirement compared to other regions, which was attributed to lower temperatures and lower evaporation rates compared to others
Higher mean annual rainfall in the Northern region can be attributed to the hilly peaks of Ngeta, Moru, and Kilak which enhance precipitation in the region by orographic lifting, especially when there is a surge of the moist Congo air mass converging with the prevailing synoptic easterlies during July-August [34]
Summary
The World Meteorological Organization [1] defines climate as the measurement of the mean and variability of relevant quantities of certain variables (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) over a period of 30 years or more. Climate defines the viability of an area for aquaculture at the macro-scale (extensive) level as it dictates water temperature and water quantity in a location [2,3] which in turn affects fish productivity [4]. Fish are poikilothermic with each species having a specific temperature range. Extended periods with the temperatures outside the optimal range for a species result in it being unsuitable for aquaculture at a location. Boyd [6] states that aquaculture depends on a constant supply of water with the total volume of water used for aquaculture per unit production greater than for agricultural crops. Nicholson [8] puts Uganda among the countries with frequent occurrence of drought and plagued with floods which have devasting effects on livelihoods, mainly if both occur in the same year [9]
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