Modeling land use change impacts on water resources in a tropical West African catchment (Dano, Burkina Faso)

A clear increase in total discharge (+17%) and decrease in evapotranspiration (−5%) was observed following land use change in the catchment. A strong relationship was established between savannah degradation, cropland expansion, discharge increase and reduction of evapotranspiration. The increase in total discharge is related to high peak flow, suggesting (i) an increase in water resources that are not available for plant growth and human consumption and (ii) an alteration of flood risk for both the population within and downstream of the catchment.