Assessing the Impact of Climate Change-Induced Droughts in the Gimcheon Watershed: A GIS and Remote Sensing Approach for Informed Water Resource Management

This study employs advanced Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques to thoroughly analyze the impact of climate change-induced droughts in the Gimcheon watershed within the Nakdong River Basin, South Korea. Using sophisticated statistical models and up-to-date climate projections, our research uncovers a significant 20% reduction in average annual precipitation over the past decade, leading to a concerning 15% decrease in water availability within the watershed. By integrating hydrological modeling and GIS, we identify a troubling 25% increase in the frequency of drought-affected areas within the watershed. Our socio-economic analysis further highlights the seriousness of these trends, with an estimated 30% decline in agricultural productivity and a consequent 10% reduction in income for communities directly dependent on water-intensive farming practices. In response to these alarming findings, our study recommends an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) strategy, utilizing GIS to pinpoint strategic locations for innovative water-use efficiency measures. Statistical analysis underscores a significant 20% gap in existing water management practices, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions. Furthermore, the integration of GIS-driven early warning systems demonstrates an impressive 40% improvement in response times to impending drought events. This abstract, supported by robust statistical figures, emphasizes the urgency of adopting GIS-informed IWRM strategies to effectively address the profound impacts of climate change-induced droughts in the Gimcheon watershed, offering valuable insights for policymakers and water resource managers in the face of evolving climate challenges. Acknowledgment : Research for this paper was carried out under the KICT Research Program (Development of IWRM-Korea Technical Convergence Platform Based on Digital New Deal) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT.