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Evaluation of the SWAT Model for the Simulation of Flow and Water Balance Based on Orbital Data in a Poorly Monitored Basin in the Brazilian Amazon

Author

Listed:
  • Paulo Ricardo Rufino

    (Department of Geography—PPGF, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil)

  • Björn Gücker

    (Department of Geosciences, Federal University of São João del-Rei, São João del-Rei 36307-352, Brazil)

  • Monireh Faramarzi

    (Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada)

  • Iola Gonçalves Boëchat

    (Department of Geosciences, Federal University of São João del-Rei, São João del-Rei 36307-352, Brazil)

  • Francielle da Silva Cardozo

    (Department of Geosciences, Federal University of São João del-Rei, São João del-Rei 36307-352, Brazil)

  • Paula Resende Santos

    (Department of Geography—PPGF, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil)

  • Gustavo Domingos Zanin

    (Department of Geography—PPGF, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil)

  • Guilherme Mataveli

    (Earth Observation and Geoinformatics Division, National Institute for Space Research, São José dos Campos 12227-010, Brazil)

  • Gabriel Pereira

    (Department of Geography—PPGF, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
    Department of Geosciences, Federal University of São João del-Rei, São João del-Rei 36307-352, Brazil)

Abstract

The Amazon basin, the world’s largest river basin, is a key global climate regulator. Due to the lack of an extensive network of gauging stations, this basin remains poorly monitored, hindering the management of its water resources. Due to the vast extension of the Amazon basin, hydrological modeling is the only viable approach to monitor its current status. Here, we used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), a process-based and time-continuous eco-hydrological model, to simulate streamflow and hydrologic water balance in an Amazonian watershed where only a few gauging stations (the Jari River Basin) are available. SWAT inputs consisted of reanalysis data based on orbital remote sensing. The calibration and validation of the SWAT model indicated a good agreement according to Nash-Sutcliffe (NS, 0.85 and 0.89), Standard Deviation Ratio (RSR, 0.39 and 0.33), and Percent Bias (PBIAS, −9.5 and −0.6) values. Overall, the model satisfactorily simulated water flow and balance characteristics, such as evapotranspiration, surface runoff, and groundwater. The SWAT model is suitable for tropical river basin management and scenario simulations of environmental changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulo Ricardo Rufino & Björn Gücker & Monireh Faramarzi & Iola Gonçalves Boëchat & Francielle da Silva Cardozo & Paula Resende Santos & Gustavo Domingos Zanin & Guilherme Mataveli & Gabriel Pereira, 2022. "Evaluation of the SWAT Model for the Simulation of Flow and Water Balance Based on Orbital Data in a Poorly Monitored Basin in the Brazilian Amazon," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jgeogr:v:3:y:2022:i:1:p:1-18:d:1016517
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aline Furtado Louzada & Nírvia Ravena, 2019. "Dam safety and risk governance for hydroelectric power plants in the Amazon," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(12), pages 1571-1585, December.
    2. Gassman, Philip W. & Reyes, Manuel R. & Green, Colleen H. & Arnold, Jeffrey G., 2007. "The Soil and Water Assessment Tool: Historical Development, Applications, and Future Research Directions," ISU General Staff Papers 200701010800001027, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    3. Khan, Shaheen Rafi & Khan, Shahrukh Rafi, 2009. "Assessing poverty-deforestation links: Evidence from Swat, Pakistan," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(10), pages 2607-2618, August.
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