Investigating Water Harvesting Interventions for Enhanced Agricultural Resilience Amidst Geopolitical and Climate Challenges in Palestine

Abstract

This research examines water harvesting interventions in Palestine to improve agricultural resilience amid geopolitical and climatic adversities. The study examines three significant earth-fill dams in the West Bank—Bani Na'im, Beit Al-Roush, and Arraba precipitation harvesting sites—identified by the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture as essential for water management. These locations are vital for improving the region's agricultural and social resilience and water supply. Examining historical aerial and satellite imagery from 2018 to 2024, hydrologically analyzing soil properties and land cover, carefully analyzing daily and monthly rainfall data from local weather stations, and developing a three dimensional analytical framework using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to calculate dam capacities and water storage volumes were all part of the methodology. The sites' performance varies, according to the results. Between 2019 and 2022, the Arraba precipitation harvesting site, which receives an average of 520 mm of rainfall and 120 mm of runoff, continuously demonstrated high filling percentages, frequently reaching 100% during wet seasons. Beit Al-Roush, on the other hand, consistently showed extremely low or zero filling percentages, indicating inadequate water storage. Storage conditions for Bani Na'im varied, with minimal filling at times. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis of the investigated sites indicated a lack of significant improvement in vegetation health or density. The results suggest that the NDVI values remained relatively stable, showing no substantial positive change across the studied areas. The study emphasizes how water harvesting, especially for Arraba, can help mitigate water shortages made worse by geopolitical constraints and climate change. The results emphasize that better water management is required to improve water security and agricultural resilience in Palestine, including preventing evaporation measures, supporting well establishment, implementing integrated irrigation systems, and conducting continuous monitoring.