Solomon Temidayo Owolabi

Dr. Solomon T. Owolabi is a distinguished geoscientist who serves as a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Geography, University of South Africa. He offers construction companies and municipalities paleontological impact assessment services. His unwavering quest to comprehend Earth systems via integrated multidisciplinary approaches and numerical modeling has characterized his career. His intense interest in comprehending and modeling intricate natural phenomena, such as catchment hydrology, tectono-topographic complexity, and climate change processes, drives his research. His areas of interest in research are hydrology, computational modeling, and the development of conjunctive exploration of the geosciences, with a focus on sophisticated numerical techniques. In order to clarify the complex dynamics of hydrologic and earth systems, his research activities are characterized by empirical simulation of the effects of hydrogeomorphic features and geological structures.

EDUCATION

PhD | Geology | University of Fort Hare, South Africa
THESIS: Evaluation of groundwater potential based on a hybrid approach of geology, geophysics, and geoinformatics: Case study of Buffalo Catchment area, Eastern Cape, South Africa

MSc | Hydrogeology | University of Botswana, Botswana
DISSERTATION: Mapping of regional trends and variability of groundwater quality parameters in aquifers across Botswana

BSc | Geology | Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Earth and Planetary Sciences, Geology, Earth-Surface Processes, General Earth and Planetary Sciences

Scopus Publications

Analyzing spatiotemporal variations and dynamics of vegetation over Amathole district municipality in South Africa
Gbenga Abayomi Afuye, Ahmed Mukalazi Kalumba, Solomon Temidayo Owolabi, Kgabo Humphrey Thamaga, Naledzani Ndou, et al.
Environment Development and Sustainability, 2026
Global biodiversity loss and ecosystem services are significantly impacted by vegetation stress and environmental degradation. The study evaluates vegetation dynamics and long-term meteorological variables in Amathole District Municipality, South Africa, using satellite-derived vegetation indices from 2001 to 2022. The study utilised Terra MODIS and Landsat time series data to evaluate vegetation cover variation using the seasonal Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and Landsat Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). A MODIS-specific compositing algorithm was used to acquire and extract data from the Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) using the study area extent. Pearson correlation and non-parametric trend analysis were used to assess the long-term vegetation cover characteristics and the influence of temperature, precipitation, and potential evapotranspiration (ET o ) on vegetation cover. The results reveal a significant decline (<10%) in the quality of green vegetation condition index from moderate to low due to prolonged dryness in autumn and winter, affecting seasonal VCI trends. In certain years, the western region has experienced browning trends and increased vegetation. Spring and summer months experienced high vegetation greenness (50-100%), with inter-annual and decadal NDVI trends shifting, causing high drought sensitivity in the east. The study found a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001) between precipitation and simulated evapotranspiration anomalies with vegetation dynamics, contrasting with inter-annual and decadal changes in NDVI trends. The changes were primarily observed in small areas, with a greening trend resulting from an increased rate of ET o , which in turn affects temperature change. The approach is suitable for semi-arid environments and can be adopted by stakeholders due to its geospatial implications for vegetation monitoring and evaluation.
A geospatial approach to assessing shoreline change dynamics along the eThekwini coast of South Africa
Ekang C. Amatebelle, Zachariah H. Mshelia, Abiodun A. Ogundeji, Solomon T. Owolabi
Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Science, 2026
Achieving the sustainable development goals through nature-based solutions amidst climate change. Evidence from scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases
Collins C. Okolie, Gideon Danso-Abbeam, Abiodun A. Ogundeji, Solomon T. Owolabi, Olivia Kunguma
Sustainable Futures, 2025
Optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topography
Solomon Temidayo Owolabi, Johanes A. Belle
Geocarto International, 2025
A systematic analysis of remote sensing and geographic information system applications for flood disaster risk management
C. E. Amatebelle, S. T. Owolabi, A. A. Ogundeji, C. C. Okolie
Journal of Spatial Science, 2025
Developing a Precision-Based E-Marketing Application for Improved Adoption Among Traditional Farmers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Dare E Fatumo, Solomon T. Owolabi, John T. Aduradola, Johanes A. Belle
International Journal of E Services and Mobile Applications, 2025
In this study, the authors aimed to create a region-specific e-marketing application tailored to farmers' and customers' satisfaction based on a technology acceptance model guided by service-dominant logic entwined with design science research methodology. They adopted exploratory research involving interviewing 104 and 42 farmers and users for a pre-installation and post-installation investigation in Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The investigation showed that 86.5% of the population is educated with at least a school matric certificate, which is enormously correlated with farmers' willingness to adopt e-marketing apps (R2 = 0.782). The adequacy of the post-installation evaluation is confirmed by the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure (0.753) under the principal axis factoring, which also reported ease of data update, editing, ease of usage, and the overall impression of the app as the four principal factors that favor the app adoption. Inferentially, the e-marketing apps effectively connected farmers with buyers, providing an efficient virtual market solution.
Optimizing the Master Recession Curve for Watershed Characterization and Drought Preparedness in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Solomon Temidayo Owolabi, Johanes A. Belle
Hydrology, 2024
Regions grappling with water scarcity are compelled to fortify their hydrological analytical protocols for efficacious drought disaster preparedness, considering the escalating influence of climate change on river periodicity and the sustainable management of water resources. Hence, this study presents a novel optimization and standardization approach for master recession curve (MRC) parameterization to improve the existing MRC computation for environmental flow (EF) parameterization. The study framework is based on constructing MRC using the RECESS computational tool. The concept involved normalizing quadratic improvement in the digitally filtered, smoothed, and automatically extracted MRC parameters from 24 long-term winter streamflows (2001–2020) in South Africa. The optimum recession length suitable for MRC computation obtained was ten days based on the significant proportion of the variance in streamflow as a function of flow timing (R2 > 0.935), EF consistency in most watersheds (p-value < 0.00), optimum standard error, and the appreciable years of significant discharge. The study obtained the MRC index, EF threshold, and the probable diminution period of 3.81–73.2, 0.001–20.19 m3/s, and 3.78 to 334 days based on the periods of significant discharge ranging between 4 and 20 years, respectively. The concurrent agreement of rainfall trend and baseflow (p-value < 0.05) with MRC parameters validate their performance as tools for EF conservation. The intra-variation in MRC across the 24 stations alluded to the overriding influence of river aquifer connectivity on watershed viability. The study provides profound insight into perennial and ephemeral rivers’ viability/vulnerability, indispensable for watershed prioritization, policy formulation, early warning systems, and drought preparedness.
Factors Influencing Rural Women’s Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies: Evidence from the Chivi District of Zimbabwe
Johanes Belle, Tendai Mapingure, Solomon Temidayo Owolabi
Climate, 2024
The socio-cultural leadership system in rural communities of developing countries is generally gender-biased, thus rendering female-headed households (FHHs) vulnerable to climate change risk. This study explored the factors influencing FHHs’ adoption of a climate change adaptation strategy (CCAS) in Chivi District, Zimbabwe. We used a multistage sampling technique and logistic regression to evaluate 107 women household heads’ livelihood and their decision to adopt the CCAS in Ward 25 of the Chivi District. The results show that the age of the female head significantly influenced the CCAS decision (R2 = −0.073), along with marital status (R2 = 0.110), agricultural training (R2 = 0.133), club membership (R2 = 0.084), and farm size (R2 = 0.014). Access to formal agricultural training plays a prominent role. At the same time, the institutional framework showed variations and laxity on the part of the local government, as access to extension services varies significantly. In addition, education level was reported to have an insignificant (p = 0.098) influence on CCAS adoption. Overall, multiple institutional and socio-economic factors are essential in influencing CCAS decisions. Hence, central and local governments are encouraged to improve outreach strategies on deploying supporting tools, extension agents, and vital stakeholders for strategic information dissemination to sensitize rural dwellers and community leaders on women’s and FHHs’ crucial role in food security and their resilience to climate change risk. Moreover, the educational syllabus can be enhanced at all rural education levels to reshape the norms of future generations against the customary impact of old age on farming approaches and to encourage women’s participation in decision making and interventions, particularly those sensitive to their societal contributions.
Investigating soil erosion vulnerable zones based on clustered geoinformatics approach: a case study of Tyume River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Siyanda Mbatyoti, Paul Sumner, Ahmed Kalumba, Solomon Owolabi, Johanes Belle
Cuaternario Y Geomorfologia, 2024
Rigorous field surveys, environmental specificity, and data paucity hamper detailed soil erosion assessments, model selection, ecological monitoring, and prioritization against soil erosion. To address this in a topographically complex environment, the present study presents a novel selection of physiographic factors integrated geospatially with the land use/cover and geology data to prioritize the soil erosion vulnerable areas within a watershed, using Tyume River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa as a case study. A quantitative morphometric analysis involving parameters such as the drainage density, topographic wetness index, terrain ruggedness index, topographic position index, and vector roughness measure was computed using a digital elevation model based on their inference of watershed's morphogenetic response to anthropic factors and pluviometric processes. Based on expert judgment for thematic ranking and weightage, the soil erosion prioritization area map was generated through weighted overlay analysis of the morphometric parameters with land use land cover and surficial lithology themes. The results depicted a catchment-scale soil erosion vulnerability map, classified into very high (40 km2), high (135 km2), medium (209 km2), low (186 km2), and non-vulnerable (113 km2) zones. Using Google Earth image analyses through the coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.563) and Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve (AUC = 0.899), the model corroboration indicated that the soil erosion vulnerability assessment is reliable and highly predictive. The study identified free-range animal operation and hillslope overgrazing, especially in riparian zones, as the environmental practices aggravate the catchment's terrain susceptibility to soil erosion. The assessment showed that some of the selected morphometric parameters could be used to improve the validated soil erosion models in mountainous regions. Due to the high precision of the engaged approach and the identified environmental concerns, the method can be adopted in similar environments.
Investigating extreme hydrological risk impact on water quality; evidence from Buffalo catchment headwater, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Solomon Temidayo Owolabi, Johanes A. Belle
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2023
Evidence from increasing mineralization, micropollutant concentrations, waterborne epidemics, an algal boom, and dissolved organic matter has provided substantial evidence that climate change impacts water quality. While the impact of the extreme hydrological event (EHE) on water quality (WQ) has aroused considerable research interest, research uncertainty has been premised on WQ data scarcity, a short time frame, data non-linearity, data structure, and environmental biases on WQ. This study conceptualized a categorical and periodic correlation using confusion matrices and wavelet coherence for varying standard hydrological drought index (SHDI; 1971–2010) and daily WQ series (1977–2011) of four spatially distinct basins. By condensing the WQ variables using chemometric analyses, confusion matrices were assessed by cascading the SHDI series into 2-, 3-, and 5-phase scenarios. 2-phase revealed an overall accuracy (0.43–0.73), sensitivity analysis (0.52–1.00), and Kappa coefficient (− 0.13 to 0.14), which declines substantially with the phase increase, suggesting the disruptive impact of EHE on WQ. Wavelet coherence depicted the substantial ($${R}_{n}^{2}\\left(u,s\\right)\\ge 0.5$$ R n 2 u , s ≥ 0.5 ) mid- and long-term (8–32 days; 6–128 days) co-movement of streamflow over WQ, confirming the varying sensitivity of WQ variables. Land use/land cover mapping and the Gibbs diagram corroborate the eventful WQ evolution by EHE and their spatial variability concerning landscape transformation. Overall, the study deduced that hydrologic extreme triggers substantial WQ disruption with dissimilar WQ sensitivity. Consequently, suitable chemometric indicators of EHE impacts such as WQ index, nitrate-nitrogen, and Larson index at designated landscapes were identified for extreme chemodynamics impact assessment. This study proffers a recommendation for monitoring and managing the impact of climate change, floods, and drought on water quality.
Quantifying Intra-Catchment Streamflow Processes and Response to Climate Change within a Climatic Transitional Zone: A Case Study of Buffalo Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Solomon Temidayo Owolabi, Johanes A. Belle, Sonwabo Mazinyo
Mathematics, 2022
Comparative evaluation of spatio-temporal attributes of precipitation and streamflow in Buffalo and Tyume Catchments, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Solomon Temidayo Owolabi, Kakaba Madi, Ahmed Mukalazi Kalumba
Environment Development and Sustainability, 2021
A geomagnetic analysis for lineament detection and lithologic characterization impacting groundwater prospecting; a case study of Buffalo catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Solomon T. Owolabi, Kakaba Madi, Ahmed Mukalazi Kalumba, Christopher Baiyegunhi
Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2021
A groundwater potential zone mapping approach for semi-arid environments using remote sensing (RS), geographic information system (GIS), and analytical hierarchical process (AHP) techniques: a case study of Buffalo catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Solomon Temidayo Owolabi, Kakaba Madi, Ahmed Mulakazi Kalumba, Israel Ropo Orimoloye
Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 2020
Assessment of recession flow variability and the surficial lithology impact: a case study of Buffalo River catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Solomon Temidayo Owolabi, Kakaba Madi, Ahmed Mukalazi Kalumba, Berhanu Fanta Alemaw
Environmental Earth Sciences, 2020

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Analyzing spatiotemporal variations and dynamics of vegetation over Amathole district municipality in South Africa
GA Afuye, AM Kalumba, ST Owolabi, KH Thamaga, N Ndou, P Sibandze, ...
Environment, Development and Sustainability 28 (4), 8071-8096 , 2026
2026
Citations: 18
A geospatial approach to assessing shoreline change dynamics along the eThekwini coast of South Africa
EC Amatebelle, ZH Mshelia, AA Ogundeji, ST Owolabi
The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences 29 (1), 72-85 , 2026
2026
Optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topography
ST Owolabi, JA Belle
Geocarto International 40 (1), 2509878 , 2025
2025
Citations: 1
Achieving the sustainable development goals through nature-based solutions amidst climate change. Evidence from scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases
CC Okolie, G Danso-Abbeam, AA Ogundeji, ST Owolabi, O Kunguma
Sustainable Futures 10, 100855 , 2025
2025
Citations: 7
A systematic analysis of remote sensing and geographic information system applications for flood disaster risk management
CE Amatebelle, ST Owolabi, AA Ogundeji, CC Okolie
Journal of Spatial Science 70 (3), 441-467 , 2025
2025
Citations: 19
Developing a Precision-Based E-Marketing Application for Improved Adoption Among Traditional Farmers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
DE Fatumo, ST Owolabi, JT Aduradola, JA Belle
International Journal of E-Services and Mobile Applications (IJESMA) 17 (1 … , 2025
2025
Investigating soil erosion vulnerable zones based on clustered geoinformatics approach: a case study of Tyume River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
S Mbatyoti, P Sumner, AM Kalumba, ST Owolabi, JA Belle
Cuaternario y Geomorfología 38 (3-4), 47-74 , 2024
2024
Citations: 2
Optimizing the master recession curve for watershed characterization and drought preparedness in Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST Owolabi, JA Belle
Hydrology 11 (12), 206 , 2024
2024
Citations: 2
Factors influencing rural women’s adoption of climate change adaptation strategies: Evidence from the Chivi district of Zimbabwe
J Belle, T Mapingure, ST Owolabi
Climate 12 (11), 191 , 2024
2024
Citations: 11
Factors influencing rural women’s adoption of climate change adaptation strategies: evidence from the Chivi District of Zimbabwe. Climate 12 (11): 191
J Belle, T Mapingure, S Owolabi
2024
Citations: 6
Investigación de las zonas vulnerables a la erosión del suelo basada en un enfoque geoinformático agrupado: un estudio de caso de la cuenca del río Tyume, Cabo Oriental, Sudáfrica
S Mbatyoti, P Sumner, AM Kalumba, ST Owolabi, J Belle
Cuaternario y geomorfología: Revista de la Sociedad Española de … , 2024
2024
Factors Influencing Rural Women’s Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies: Evidence from the Chivi District of Zimbabwe. Climate 2024, 12, 191
J Belle, T Mapingure, ST Owolabi
2024
Citations: 1
Investigating extreme hydrological risk impact on water quality; evidence from Buffalo catchment headwater, Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST Owolabi, JA Belle
Environmental Science and Pollution Research 30 (29), 73425-73450 , 2023
2023
Citations: 6
Quantifying intra-catchment streamflow processes and response to climate change within a climatic transitional zone: a case study of Buffalo catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST Owolabi, JA Belle, S Mazinyo
Mathematics 10 (16), 3003 , 2022
2022
Citations: 7
Comparative evaluation of spatio-temporal attributes of precipitation and streamflow in Buffalo and Tyume Catchments, Eastern Cape, South Africa: S. Owolabi et al.
ST Owolabi, K Madi, AM Kalumba
Environment, Development and Sustainability 23 (3), 4236-4251 , 2021
2021
Citations: 32
A geomagnetic analysis for lineament detection and lithologic characterization impacting groundwater prospecting; a case study of Buffalo catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST Owolabi, K Madi, AM Kalumba, C Baiyegunhi
Groundwater for Sustainable Development 12, 100531 , 2021
2021
Citations: 17
A groundwater potential zone mapping approach for semi-arid environments using remote sensing (RS), geographic information system (GIS), and analytical hierarchical process …
ST Owolabi, K Madi, AM Kalumba, IR Orimoloye
Arabian journal of geosciences 13 (22), 1184 , 2020
2020
Citations: 186
Assessment of recession flow variability and the surficial lithology impact: a case study of Buffalo River catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST Owolabi, K Madi, AM Kalumba, BF Alemaw
Environmental earth sciences 79 (8), 187 , 2020
2020
Citations: 31
Structural mapping for aquifer delineation; Case study of Buffalo catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
S Owolabi
2019 Groundwater Week , 2019
2019
Evaluation of groundwater potential based on hybrid approach of geology, geophysics, and geoinformatics: Case study of Buffalo Catchment area, Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST OWOLABI
University of Fort Hare , 2019
2019

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

A groundwater potential zone mapping approach for semi-arid environments using remote sensing (RS), geographic information system (GIS), and analytical hierarchical process …
ST Owolabi, K Madi, AM Kalumba, IR Orimoloye
Arabian journal of geosciences 13 (22), 1184 , 2020
2020
Citations: 186
Comparative evaluation of spatio-temporal attributes of precipitation and streamflow in Buffalo and Tyume Catchments, Eastern Cape, South Africa: S. Owolabi et al.
ST Owolabi, K Madi, AM Kalumba
Environment, Development and Sustainability 23 (3), 4236-4251 , 2021
2021
Citations: 32
Assessment of recession flow variability and the surficial lithology impact: a case study of Buffalo River catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST Owolabi, K Madi, AM Kalumba, BF Alemaw
Environmental earth sciences 79 (8), 187 , 2020
2020
Citations: 31
A systematic analysis of remote sensing and geographic information system applications for flood disaster risk management
CE Amatebelle, ST Owolabi, AA Ogundeji, CC Okolie
Journal of Spatial Science 70 (3), 441-467 , 2025
2025
Citations: 19
Analyzing spatiotemporal variations and dynamics of vegetation over Amathole district municipality in South Africa
GA Afuye, AM Kalumba, ST Owolabi, KH Thamaga, N Ndou, P Sibandze, ...
Environment, Development and Sustainability 28 (4), 8071-8096 , 2026
2026
Citations: 18
A geomagnetic analysis for lineament detection and lithologic characterization impacting groundwater prospecting; a case study of Buffalo catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST Owolabi, K Madi, AM Kalumba, C Baiyegunhi
Groundwater for Sustainable Development 12, 100531 , 2021
2021
Citations: 17
Factors influencing rural women’s adoption of climate change adaptation strategies: Evidence from the Chivi district of Zimbabwe
J Belle, T Mapingure, ST Owolabi
Climate 12 (11), 191 , 2024
2024
Citations: 11
Achieving the sustainable development goals through nature-based solutions amidst climate change. Evidence from scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases
CC Okolie, G Danso-Abbeam, AA Ogundeji, ST Owolabi, O Kunguma
Sustainable Futures 10, 100855 , 2025
2025
Citations: 7
Quantifying intra-catchment streamflow processes and response to climate change within a climatic transitional zone: a case study of Buffalo catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST Owolabi, JA Belle, S Mazinyo
Mathematics 10 (16), 3003 , 2022
2022
Citations: 7
Factors influencing rural women’s adoption of climate change adaptation strategies: evidence from the Chivi District of Zimbabwe. Climate 12 (11): 191
J Belle, T Mapingure, S Owolabi
2024
Citations: 6
Investigating extreme hydrological risk impact on water quality; evidence from Buffalo catchment headwater, Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST Owolabi, JA Belle
Environmental Science and Pollution Research 30 (29), 73425-73450 , 2023
2023
Citations: 6
Investigating soil erosion vulnerable zones based on clustered geoinformatics approach: a case study of Tyume River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
S Mbatyoti, P Sumner, AM Kalumba, ST Owolabi, JA Belle
Cuaternario y Geomorfología 38 (3-4), 47-74 , 2024
2024
Citations: 2
Optimizing the master recession curve for watershed characterization and drought preparedness in Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST Owolabi, JA Belle
Hydrology 11 (12), 206 , 2024
2024
Citations: 2
Optimizing interpolation and quantitative morphometry analysis suitability to soil erodibility modeling for soil erosion risk mapping in a complex topography
ST Owolabi, JA Belle
Geocarto International 40 (1), 2509878 , 2025
2025
Citations: 1
Factors Influencing Rural Women’s Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies: Evidence from the Chivi District of Zimbabwe. Climate 2024, 12, 191
J Belle, T Mapingure, ST Owolabi
2024
Citations: 1
A geospatial approach to assessing shoreline change dynamics along the eThekwini coast of South Africa
EC Amatebelle, ZH Mshelia, AA Ogundeji, ST Owolabi
The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences 29 (1), 72-85 , 2026
2026
Developing a Precision-Based E-Marketing Application for Improved Adoption Among Traditional Farmers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
DE Fatumo, ST Owolabi, JT Aduradola, JA Belle
International Journal of E-Services and Mobile Applications (IJESMA) 17 (1 … , 2025
2025
Investigación de las zonas vulnerables a la erosión del suelo basada en un enfoque geoinformático agrupado: un estudio de caso de la cuenca del río Tyume, Cabo Oriental, Sudáfrica
S Mbatyoti, P Sumner, AM Kalumba, ST Owolabi, J Belle
Cuaternario y geomorfología: Revista de la Sociedad Española de … , 2024
2024
Structural mapping for aquifer delineation; Case study of Buffalo catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
S Owolabi
2019 Groundwater Week , 2019
2019
Evaluation of groundwater potential based on hybrid approach of geology, geophysics, and geoinformatics: Case study of Buffalo Catchment area, Eastern Cape, South Africa
ST OWOLABI
University of Fort Hare , 2019
2019