Comparative evaluation of spatio-temporal attributes of precipitation and streamflow in Buffalo and Tyume Catchments, Eastern Cape, South Africa

High variability in precipitation has affected streamflow across different catchments especially in semi-arid environments with devastating effects on ecosystem services and functioning. Information on the state of interdependency and spatio-temporal precipitation attributes of the catchments is essential for ecosystem services sustainability especially in the semi-arid environments. A statistical hybrid approach using linearity, stochastic behaviour, and elasticity testing was explored from the 1989 to 2016 datasets for Tyume and Buffalo catchments case studies. To this end, consistency, sensitivity, and trend analysis revealed a spatio-temporal variation between the catchments. For instance, there is consistency in flow double-mass curve. Mann–Kendall test reveals significant increase in winter stream flow trend (Buffalo, Z = 0.328, p value = 0.007; and Tyume, Z = 0.354, p value = 0.004), with a corresponding increase in the Buffalo winter rainfall (Z = 0.354, p value = 0.004). Parde coefficient plots and sensitivity analysis reveal streamflow dependence on rainfall, hydrological response, and spatial difference to climatic variability for Buffalo (ep = 0.96) and Tyume (ep = 1.89). In general, hydrological viability of Buffalo catchment over the conservative attribute of Tyume catchment is revealed.