| Title: | The impact of Para rubber expansion on streamflow and other water balance components of the Nam Loei River Basin, Thailand |
| Authors: | Wangpimool, W., K. Pongput, N. Tangtham, S. Prachansri and P.W. Gassman |
| Year: | 2017 |
| Journal: | Water |
| Volume (Issue): | 9(1) |
| Pages: | |
| Article ID: | 1 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/w9010001 |
| URL (non-DOI journals): | |
| Model: | SWAT |
| Broad Application Category: | hydrologic only |
| Primary Application Category: | land use change assessment |
| Secondary Application Category: | hydrologic assessment |
| Watershed Description: | 3,912 km^2 Nam Loei River, which is located primarily in Loei Province in northeast Thailand. |
| Calibration Summary: | |
| Validation Summary: | |
| General Comments: | |
| Abstract: | At present, Para rubber is an economical crop which provides a high priced product and is
in demand by global markets. Consequently, the government of Thailand is promoting the expansion
of Para rubber plantations throughout the country. Traditionally, Para rubber was planted and
grown only in the southern areas of the country. However, due to the Government’s support and
promotion as well as economic reasons, the expansion of Para rubber plantations in the northeast
has increased rapidly. This support has occurred without accounting for suitable cultivation of Para
rubber conditions, particularly in areas with steep slopes and other factors which have significant
impacts on hydrology and water quality. This study presents the impacts of Para rubber expansion
by applying the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrological model on the hydrology and
water balance of the Nam Loei River Basin, Loei Province. The results showed that the displacement
of original local field crops and disturbed forest land by Para rubber production resulted in an overall
increase of evapotranspiration (ET) of roughly 3%. The major factors are the rubber canopy and
precipitation. Moreover, the water balance results showed an annual reduction of about 3% in the
basin average water yield, especially during the dry season. |
| Language: | English |
| Keywords: | hydrologic balance; SWAT model; land use change; evapotranspiration; plant parameters |