The effect of agricultural and conservation management on surface runoff and sediment load in Dashte Bozorg catchment using the ArcSWAT model

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Soil Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of soil science, Faculty of Agriculture , Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran

3 Department of Soil Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

 
Prioritizing critical source areas and using the best management practices, including agricultural and conservation management, are effective methods to reduce erosion in catchments.
The main objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of agricultural and conservation management on surface runoff and sediment yields in Dashte Bezorg catchment, Khuzestan, Iran using the ArcSWAT model.
The data was collected in 2021. The Sequential Uncertainty Fitting was applied for Calibration and validation. The model was calibrated from 2004 to 2015 and validated from 2016 to 2021 for surface runoff. Furthermore, calibration and validation of sediment yields were performed for the statistical periods of 2004-2013 and 2014-2019, respectively. The performance of the model was evaluated by four objective functions (NS, R2, BIAS, and RSR). The model was then applied to predict critical source areas for sediment yields and surface runoff. Agricultural management practices in four crop rotation scenarios (“wheat-wheat-wheat”, “wheat-rice-wheat-mung bean-wheat”, “rice-mung bean-wheat” and “wheat-potato-tomato”), residue management scenarios (No residue and 50 percent of the residue) and three tillage scenarios (conservation tillage, no-tillage, and conventional tillage) were evaluated. Conservation management scenarios were focused on contouring, strip cropping, terracing, vegetated filter strip, and the grassed waterway scenarios (width of 5 and 10.4 meters).
The sensitivity analysis showed that ALPHA_BF (Baseflow alpha factor) and RCHRG_DP (Deep aquifer percolation fraction) parameters were identified as the most effective base flow parameters. The objective function values (NS, R2, BIAS, and RSR) were 0.7, 0.72, 3.7, and 0.55 for surface runoff during calibration, and 0.74, 0.75, 2.1, and 0.51 during the validation period, respectively. These results indicated that the ArcSWAT model performed well in estimating surface runoff but was not satisfactory for sediment yields.
Collecting sediment data only during floods resulted in large uncertainty in the input data, and the uncertainty in the inputs produced a large uncertainty in the 95 Percent Prediction Uncertainty (95PPU) bands. Subcatchments 5 and 17 were critical source areas for surface runoff and subcatchments 4, 9, 14, and 16 were also identified as critical source areas for sediment in the catchment. The application of agricultural management practices showed that the cultivation of wheat for three consecutive years increased surface runoff and sediment loss under no-tillage and Conservation tillage. The result of conservation management scenarios indicated that the difference in the width of the grassed waterway had no significant effect on reducing the sediment load. The terracing and vegetated filter strip scenarios were more effective than the other conservation scenarios on sediment reduction.
The findings of this study showed that the application of conservation management scenarios can significantly reduce sediment yields compared to agricultural management. It is also recommended to avoid continuous cultivation of the same crop as much as possible.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Abbaspour, K.C., Yang, J., Maximov, I., Siber, R., Bogner, K., Mieleitner, J., Zobrist, J., & Srinivasan, R. (2007). Modeling hydrology and water quality in the pre-alpine/alpine Thur watershed using SWAT, Journal of Hydrology, 333, 413– 430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2006.09.014
Ang, R.,  & Oeurng, C. (2018). Simulating streamflow in an ungauged catchment of Tonlesap Lake Basin in Cambodia using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Water Science, 32(1), 89-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsj.2017.12.002
Ayele, G.T., Kuriqi, A., Jemberrie, M.A., Saia, S.M., Seka, A.M., Teshale, E.Z., Daba, M.H., Ahmad Bhat, S., Demissie, S.S., Jeong, J., & Melesse, A.M. (2021). Sediment Yield and Reservoir Sedimentation in Highly Dynamic Watersheds: The Case of Koga Reservoir, Ethiopia. Water, 13(23), 3374. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13233374
Biggelaar, C. D., Lal, R., Wiebe, K., Eswaran, H., Breneman, V., & Reich, P. (2003).The Global Impact of Soil Erosion on Productivity: II: Effects on Crop Yields and Production Over Time. Advances in Agronomy, 81, 49–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(03)81002-7
Bosch, D. D., Arnold, J. G., Volk, M., & Allen, P. M. (2010). Simulation of a Low-Gradient Coastal Plain Watershed Using the SWAT Landscape Model. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, 53(5), 1445-1456. (doi: 10.13031/2013.34899)
Du, X., Jian, J., Du, C., & Stewart, R. D. (2022). Conservation management decreases surface runoff and soil erosion. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 10(2), 188–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ISWCR.2021.08.001
Dutta, S., & Sen, D. (2018). Application of SWAT model for predicting soil erosion and sediment yield. Sustain. Water Resources Management. 4, 447–468. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-017-0127-2
Engebretsen, A., Vogt, R. D., & Bechmann, M. (2019). SWAT model uncertainties and cumulative probability for decreased phosphorus loading by agricultural Best Management Practices. CATENA, 175. 154–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2018.12.004
Fiener, P., & Auerswald, K. (2006). Seasonal variation of grassed waterway effectiveness in reducing runoff and sediment delivery from agricultural watershed in temperate Europe. Soil and Tillage Research, 87(1), 48-58. Doi: 10.1016/j.still.2005.02.035
Gathagu, J.N., Sang, J. K., & Maina, C.W. (2018). Modelling the impacts of structural conservation measures on sediment and water yield in Thika-Chania catchment, Kenya. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 6(2), 165-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2017.12.007
Himanshu, S.K., Pandey, A., Yada, B., & Gupta, A. (2019). Evaluation of best management practices for sediment and nutrient loss control using SWAT model. Soil & Tillage Research, 192, 42-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2019.04.016
Issaka, S., & Ashraf, M. A. (2017). Impact of soil erosion and degradation on water quality: a review. Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes, 1(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2017.1301053
Karakoyun, E., & Kaya, N. (2022). Hydrological simulation and prediction of soil erosion using the SWAT model in a mountainous watershed: a case study of Murat River Basin, Turkey. Journal of Hydroinformatics, 24 (6), 1175. doi: 10.2166/hydro.2022.056
Kumar, S., Singh, A. & Shrestha, D.P. (2016). Modelling spatially distributed surface runoff generation using SWAT-VSA: a case study in a watershed of the north-west Himalayan landscape. Model. Earth Systems and Environment. 2, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-016-0249-9
Leh, M. D. K., Sharpley, A. N., Singh, G., & Matlock, M.D. (2018). Assessing the impact of the MRBI program in a data limited Arkansas watershed using the SWAT model. Agricultural Water Management, 202, 202-219.
Liu, M., Han, G., & Li, X. (2021). Contributions of soil erosion and decomposition to SOC loss during a short-term paddy land abandonment in Northeast Thailand. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 321, 107629. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AGEE.2021.107629
Liu, Y., Xu, Y., Zhao, Y., & Long, Y. (2022). Using SWAT Model to Assess the Impacts of Land Use and Climate Changes on Flood in the Upper Weihe River, China. Water, 14(13), 2098. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14132098
López-Ballesteros, A., Senent-Aparicio, J., Srinivasan, R., & Pérez-Sánchez, J. (2019). Assessing the Impact of Best Management Practices in a Highly Anthropogenic and Ungauged Watershed Using the SWAT Model: A Case Study in the El Beal Watershed (Southeast Spain). Agronomy, 9(10), 576.
Mahmoudi, Y., Delavar, M., Imani, S., & Mohammadi, A. (2019). Optimization of Type and Location of the Management Practises to Contorol Nutrient Loads in‌to the Water Bodies, Case Study: Lake Zrebar Basin. Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research, 50(4), 977-990. doi: 10.22059/ijswr.2018.264038.667993. (In Persian)
Mbonimpa, E. G., Yuan, Y., Mehaffey, M. H., & Jackson, M. A. (2012). SWAT Model Application to Assess the Impact of Intensive Corn-farming on Runoff, Sediments and Phosphorous loss from an Agricultural Watershed in Wisconsin. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 4(7), 423-431. DOI: 10.4236/jwarp.2012.47049.
Mueller, N. D., Gerber, J. S., Johnston, M., Ray, D. K., Ramankutty, N., & Foley, J. A. (2012). Closing yield gaps through nutrient and water management. Nature, 494(7419), 254–257. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11420  
Nearing, M. A., Xie, Y., Liu, B., &  Ye, Y. (2017). Natural and anthropogenic rates of soil erosion. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 5(2), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ISWCR.2017.04.001
Nepal, D., & Parajuli, P.B. (2022). Assessment of Best Management Practices on Hydrology and Sediment Yield at Watershed Scale in Mississippi Using SWAT. Agriculture, 12, 518. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12040518
Nyawade, S.O., Karanja, N.N., Gachene, C.K.K., Schulte-Geldermann, E., & Parker, M.L. (2018). Effect of potato hilling on soil temperature, soil moisture distribution and sediment yield on a sloping terrain. Soil & Tillage Research, 184, 24-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2018.06.008
Pavei, D. S., Panachuki, E., Salton, J. C., Sone, J. S., Alves Sobrinho, T., Valim, W. C., & Oliveira, P. T. S. (2021). Soil physical properties and interrill erosion in agricultural production systems after 20 years of cultivation. Revista Brasileira de Ciencia do Solo, 45, e0210039. https://doi.org/10.36783/18069657rbcs20210039
Peri, P. L., Lasagno, R. G., Chartier, M. P., Roig Junent, F. A., Rosas, Y. M., & Martínez Pastur, G. J. (2022). Soil Erosion Rates and Nutrient Loss in Rangelands of Southern Patagonia. In The Encyclopedia of Conservation. edited by DellaSala, D. A., Goldstein, M. I. Elsevier. 9, 102-110.
Prosdocimi, M., Tarolli, P., & Cerdà, A. (2016). Mulching practices for reducing soil water erosion: A review. Earth-Science Reviews, 161, 191–203.
Rafiei Emam, A., Kappas, M., Linh, N.H.K., &  Renchin, T. (2017). Hydrological Modeling and Runoff Mitigation in an Ungauged Basin of Central Vietnam Using SWAT Model. Hydrology, 4(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology4010016
Rezazadeh, M. S., Bakhriari, B., Abbaspour, K., & Ahmadi M. M. (2018). Simulation of Runoff, sediment and evapotranspiration through management scenarios to reduce sediment load using SWAT model. Iran-Watershed Management Science & Engineering; 12(40), 41-50. http://jwmsei.ir/article-1-492-fa.html. (In Persian)
Rouhani, H., Willems, P., & Feyen, J. (2009). Effect of watershed delineation and areal rainfall distribution on runoff prediction using the SWAT model. Hydrology Research, 40(6), 505–519. https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2009.042
Risal, A., & Parajuli, P.B. (2022). Evaluation of the Impact of Best Management Practices on Streamflow, Sediment and Nutrient Yield at Field and Watershed Scales. Water Resources Management, 36, 1093–1105.
Rostamian, R., Jaleh, A., Afyuni, M., Mousavi, F., Heidarpour, M., Jalalian, A., & Abbaspour, K. C. (2008). Application of a SWAT model for estimating runoff and sediment in two mountainous basins in central Iran, Hydrological Sciences Journal, 53(5), 977-988. https://doi.org/10.1623/hysj.53.5.977
Sun, X., Bernard-Jannin, L., Garneau, C., Volk, M., Arnold, J. G., Srinivasan, R., Sauvage, S., & Sánchez-Pérez, J. M. (2016). Improved simulation of river water and groundwater exchange in an alluvial plain using the SWAT model. Hydrological Processes, 30, 187-202. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.10575
Ullrich, A., & Volk, M. (2009). Application of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to predict the impact of alternative management practices on water quality and quantity. Agricultural Water Management, 96(8), 1207-1217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2009.03.010
Uniyal, B., Jha, M.K., Verma, A.K., & Anebagilu, P.K. (2020).  Identification of critical areas and evaluation of best management practices using SWAT for sustainable watershed management. Science of The Total Environment, 744, 140737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140737
Verheijen, F. G. A., Jones, R. J. A., Rickson, R. J., & Smith, C. J. (2009). Tolerable versus actual soil erosion rates in Europe. Earth-Science Reviews, 94(1-4), 23–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2009.02.003
Wei, S., Zhang, X., McLaughlin, N. B., Chen, X., Jia, S., & Liang, A. (2017). Impact of soil water erosion processes on catchment export of soil aggregates and associated SOC. Geoderma, 294, 63–69.
Woznicki, S. A., Nejadhashemi, A. P., & Smith, C. M. (2011). Assessing Best Management Practice Implementation Strategies under Climate Change Scenarios. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, 54(1), 171-190. (doi: 10.13031/2013.36272)
Yang, Q., Meng, F. R., Zhao, Z., Chow, T.L., Benoy, G., Rees, H.W., & Bourque, C.P. A. (2009). Assessing the impacts of flow diversion terraces on stream water and sediment yields at a watershed level using SWAT model. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 132(1/2), 23-31.
Yuan, L., & Forshay, KJ. (2020). Using SWAT to Evaluate Streamflow and Lake Sediment Loading in the Xinjiang River Basin with Limited Data. Water, 12(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12010039.
Zhang, H., Wang, B., Liu, D.L., Zhang, M., Leslie, L.M., & Yu, Q. (2020). Using an improved SWAT model to simulate hydrological responses to land use change: A case study of a catchment in tropical Australia. Journal of Hydrology, 585, 124822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.124822.
Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research
Volume 53, Issue 12
February 2023
Pages 2809-2824

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics