A research paper titled “Calibration of Spatially Distributed Hydrological Processes and Model Parameters in SWAT Using Remote Sensing Data and an Auto-Calibration Procedure: A Case Study in a Vietnamese River Basin” was recently published on MDPI Water Journal. 

The paper demonstrates the capabilities of SWAT and the auto-calibration SUFI-2 to render bio-physical processes in data scarce basins in a distributed manner. A total of 15 essential bio-physical parameters of the unsaturated zone and exchange processes seem to be adequately calibrated in SWAT for each of the 7907 HRUs. Otherwise, there would not have been such a good agreement with the spatio-temporal variability of the remote sensing parameters, as in the case of conventional discharge-driven calibration. Furthermore, this level of spatial detail cannot be obtained from soil maps. The hydrological formulations in SWAT are thus adequate for simulating eco-hydrological processes. In the near future, remote sensing data on soil moisture, net primary production, and water quality will become available as well, which will undoubtedly further enrich the options to calibrate additional SWAT model parameters.

The approach proposed in this study using SWAT-CUP and SUFI-2 will improve the facilitation and standardization of calibration process for basins with scant field data. By optimizing evapotranspiration and photosynthesis for Hydrological Response Unit, swift estimates of surface runoff, erosion, groundwater recharge, baseflow, storage changes, withdrawals, and carbon assimilation can be determined and used to quantify ecosystems services. The availability of the system parameters will allow future predictions of the basin water cycle in response to external factors, such as climate and land-use changes, and computing scenarios for green growth, i.e., conservation plans, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, etc.

The paper was jointly prepared by colleagues from The Institute of Water Resources Planning, Delft University of Technology, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Australian National University and U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation Science Center (EROS).

The link to the paper can be found here: http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/10/2/212/pdf

If you wish to contact the author team, please send an email to lanht.tl@mard.gov.vn

The research project was conducted under the sponsorship of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) in the Greater Mekong (WLE-GM). WLE-GM is funded in part by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.