Optimizing Rainfall Gauge Network Density and Spacing on Ambon Island Using Thiessen Polygons and the Kagan–Rodda Approach

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Published: Aug 31, 2026

Abstract:

Background: Ambon Island is a small mountainous island characterized by high spatial variability of rainfall, which necessitates a representative rainfall gauge network.


Aims: This study aims to evaluate the density and spatial distribution of the rainfall station network on Ambon Island based on the standards of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Kagan–Rodda method.


Methods: This study uses annual rainfall data from 2014–2023 from eight stations, along with spatial data of the study area. Thiessen polygons were used to define the coverage area of each station in the rainfall station network. The network density was evaluated using WMO standards, and the relationship between distance and rainfall correlation was analyzed using the Kagan–Rodda method to estimate network error.


Result: The results indicate that most stations in the rainfall station network meet WMO density standards, but their spatial distribution is still uneven. The Kagan–Rodda analysis shows that more stations are needed when a smaller error is required. At a 5% error level, three stations are enough with a spacing of about 17.12 km. At a 1% error level, about 51 stations are needed with a spacing of around 4.03 km.


Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of balancing rainfall estimation accuracy with technical and practical limitations in the planning of rainfall gauge networks.

Keywords: Ambon Island, Kagan–Rodda Method, Rainfall, Rain Gauge Network, Thiessen Polygon

Authors:
1 . Irenius Forisman Daba
Indonesia State College of Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics (STMKG),
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9473-1326
2 . Yahya Darmawan
Indonesia State College of Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics (STMKG) INDONESIA,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8642-7472
3 . Getachew Mehabie Ulualem
Bahir Dar University,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6488-4402
4 . Widodo Widodo
Indonesia State College of Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics (STMKG),
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0834-9170
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How to Cite
Forisman Daba, I., Darmawan, Y., Ulualem, G. M., & Widodo, W. (2026). Optimizing Rainfall Gauge Network Density and Spacing on Ambon Island Using Thiessen Polygons and the Kagan–Rodda Approach. Journal of Innovation in Applied Natural Science, 2(2), 64–79. https://doi.org/10.58723/jinas.v2i2.195
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Copyright (c) 2026 Irenius Forisman Daba, Yahya Darmawan, Getachew Mehabie Ulualem, Widodo Widodo

Issue
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): Journal of Innovation in Applied Natural Science
Section
Research Articles

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