| Title: | Evaluation of ecosystem-based adaptation measures for sediment yield in a tropical watershed in Thailand |
| Authors: | Babel, M.S., M.B. Gunathilake and M.K. Jha |
| Year: | 2021 |
| Journal: | Water |
| Volume (Issue): | 13(19) |
| Pages: | |
| Article ID: | 2767 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/w13192767 |
| URL (non-DOI journals): | |
| Model: | SWAT |
| Broad Application Category: | hydrologic and pollutant |
| Primary Application Category: | BMP and/or cropping system assessment |
| Secondary Application Category: | sediment loss and transport |
| Watershed Description: | 1,340 km^2 Huai Ta Poe River, a tributary of the Huai Bang Sai River (and larger Mekong River System) located in northeast Thailand. |
| Calibration Summary: | |
| Validation Summary: | |
| General Comments: | |
| Abstract: | Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) can potentially mitigate watershed degradation problems. In this study, various EbA measures were evaluated using a bio-physical model called the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), in a small, forested watershed named Hui Ta Poe, in the northeastern region of Thailand. The developed watershed model was first used to investigate the effect of various degraded watersheds due to land-use changes on the sediment yield in the study area. The most degraded watershed produced an annual average sediment yield of 13.5 tons/ha. This degraded watershed was then used to evaluate the effectiveness of various EbA measures such as reforestation, contouring, filter strips, and grassed waterways in reducing the sediment yield. Under all individual and combined EbA scenarios analyzed, there was a significant reduction in sediment yield; however, the maximum reduction of 88% was achieved with a combined scenario of reforestation, grassed waterways, and filter strips. Reforestation alone was found to be the second-best option, which could reduce the sediment yield by 84%. Contouring alone was the least effective, with a reduction in sediment yield of only 23%. This study demonstrates the usefulness of implementing EbA measures for sediment management strategies to address watershed degradation, which is a severe problem across the globe. |
| Language: | English |
| Keywords: | ecosystem-based adaptation; sediment yield; SWAT; watershed degradation |