Articles | Volume 26, issue 13
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-3611-2022
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-3611-2022
Research article
 | 
13 Jul 2022
Research article |  | 13 Jul 2022

Characterizing natural variability in complex hydrological systems using passive microwave-based climate data records: a case study for the Okavango Delta

Robin van der Schalie, Mendy van der Vliet, Clément Albergel, Wouter Dorigo, Piotr Wolski, and Richard de Jeu

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Cited articles

Albergel, C., Dorigo, W., Reichle, R. H., Balsamo, G., De Rosnay, P., Muñoz-Sabater, J., Isaksen, L., De Jeu, R., and Wagner, W.: Skill and global trend analysis of soil moisture from reanalyses and microwave remote sensing, J. Hydrometeorol., 14, 1259–1277, 2013. 
Al-Yaari, A., Wigneron, J. P., Dorigo, W., Colliander, A., Pellarin, T., Hahn, S., Mialon, A., Richaume, P., Fernandez-Moran, R., Fan, L., and Kerr, Y. H.: Assessment and inter-comparison of recently developed/reprocessed microwave satellite soil moisture products using ISMN ground-based measurements, Remote Sens. Environ., 224, 289–303, 2019. 
Ashton, P.: Potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed abstraction of water from the Okavango River in Namibia, Southern African Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 25, 175–182, https://doi.org/10.2989/160859100780177776, 2000. 
Ashton, P.: The search for an equitable basis for water sharing in the Okavango River basin, chap. 7, in: International Waters in Southern Africa, UNUP-1077, ISBN 92-808-1077-4, https://collections.unu.edu/eserv/UNU:2428/nLib9280810774.pdf (last access: 22 May 2022), 164–188, 2003. 
Ashton, P. and Neal, M.: An overview of key strategic issues in the Okavango basin, in: Transboundary Rivers, Sovereignty and Development: Hydropolitical Drivers in the Okavango River Basin, 31–64, African Water Issues Research Unit/Green Cross International/University of Pretoria, ISBN-10: 0620304979, ISBN-13: 978-0620304979, 31–63, 2003. 
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Short summary
Climate data records of surface soil moisture, vegetation optical depth, and land surface temperature can be derived from passive microwave observations. The ability of these datasets to properly detect anomalies and extremes is very valuable in climate research and can especially help to improve our insight in complex regions where the current climate reanalysis datasets reach their limitations. Here, we present a case study over the Okavango Delta, where we focus on inter-annual variability.