SWAT Literature Database for Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Title:Hydrological alteration index as an indicator of the calibration complexity of water quantity and quality modeling in the context of global change 
Authors:Cakir, R., M. Raimonet, S. Sauvage, J. Paredes-Arquiola, Y. Grusson, L. Roset, M. Meaurio, E. Navarro, M. Sevilla-Callejo, J.L. Lechuga-Crespo, J.J.G. Pascual , J.M. Bodoque and J.M. Sánchez-Pérez 
Year:2020 
Journal:Water 
Volume (Issue):12(1) 
Pages: 
Article ID:115 
DOI:10.3390/w12010115 
URL (non-DOI journals): 
Model:SWAT 
Broad Application Category:hydrologic and pollutant 
Primary Application Category:model and/or data interface 
Secondary Application Category:sediment loss and transport 
Watershed Description:773,191 km^2 SUDOE Region, which drains part of southwest France, all of Andorra and the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal, and Gibraltar). 
Calibration Summary: 
Validation Summary: 
General Comments: 
Abstract:Modeling is a useful way to understand human and climate change impacts on the water resources of agricultural watersheds. Calibration and validation methodologies are crucial in forecasting assessments. This study explores the best calibration methodology depending on the level of hydrological alteration due to human-derived stressors. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model is used to evaluate hydrology in South-West Europe in a context of intensive agriculture and water scarcity. The Index of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) is calculated using discharge observation data. A comparison of two SWAT calibration methodologies are done; a conventional calibration (CC) based on recorded in-stream water quality and quantity and an additional calibration (AC) adding crop managements practices. Even if the water quality and quantity trends are similar between CC and AC, water balance, irrigation and crop yields are different. In the context of rainfall decrease, water yield decreases in both CC and AC, while crop productions present opposite trends (+33% in CC and −31% in AC). Hydrological performance between CC and AC is correlated to IHA: When the level of IHA is under 80%, AC methodology is necessary. The combination of both calibrations appears essential to better constrain the model and to forecast the impact of climate change or anthropogenic influences on water resources. 
Language:English 
Keywords:SWAT; calibration; large-scale; water resource; quality; global change