Development of a SWAT Patch for Better Estimation of Sediment Yield in Steep Sloping Watersheds1

Abstract: The watershed scale Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model divides watersheds into smaller subwatersheds for simulation of rainfall‐runoff and sediment loading at the field level and routing through stream networks. Typically, the SWAT model first needs to be calibrated and validated for accurate estimation through adjustment of sensitive input parameters (i.e., Curve Number values, USLE P, slope and slope‐length, and so on). However, in some instances, SWAT‐simulated results are greatly affected by the watershed delineation and Digital Elevation Models (DEM) cell size. In this study, the SWAT ArcView GIS Patch II was developed for steep sloping watersheds, and its performance was evaluated for various threshold values and DEM cell size scenarios when delineating subwatersheds using the SWAT model. The SWAT ArcView GIS Patch II was developed using the ArcView GIS Avenue program and Spatial Analyst libraries. The SWAT ArcView GIS Patch II improves upon the SWAT ArcView GIS Patch I because it reflects the topographic factor in calculating the field slope‐length of Hydrologic Response Units in the SWAT model. The simulated sediment value for 321 subwatersheds (watershed delineation threshold value of 25 ha) is greater than that for 43 subwatersheds (watershed delineation threshold value of 200 ha) by 201% without applying the SWAT ArcView GIS Patch II. However, when the SWAT ArcView GIS Patch II was applied, the difference in simulated sediment yield decreases for the same scenario (i.e., difference in simulated sediment with 321 subwatersheds and 43 subwatersheds) was 12%. The simulated sediment value for DEM cell size of 50 m is greater than that for DEM cell size of 10 m by 19.8% without the SWAT ArcView GIS Patch II. However, the difference becomes smaller (3.4% difference) between 50 and 10 m with the SWAT ArcView GIS Patch II for the DEM scenarios. As shown in this study, the SWAT ArcView GIS Patch II can reduce differences in simulated sediment values for various watershed delineation and DEM cell size scenarios. Without the SWAT ArcView GIS Patch II, variations in the SWAT‐simulated results using various watershed delineation and DEM cell size scenarios could be greater than those from input parameter calibration. Thus, the results obtained in this study show that the SWAT ArcView GIS Patch II should be used when simulating hydrology and sediment yield for steep sloping watersheds (especially if average slope of the subwatershed is >25%) for more accurate simulation of hydrology and sediment using the SWAT model. The SWAT ArcView GIS Patch II is available at http://www.EnvSys.co.kr/~swat for free download.     

AVGWLF‐Based Estimation of Nonpoint Source Nitrogen Loads Generated Within Long Island Sound Subwatersheds1

Abstract: The Generalized Watershed Loading Functions (GWLF) model and its ArcView interface (AVGWLF) were used to estimate and examine the components of the total nitrogen (TN) nonpoint source (NPS) load generated within New York and Connecticut (CT) watersheds surrounding Long Island Sound (LIS, the Sound). The majority of data used as model inputs were generally available from online sources, and the work involved an overall calibration to streamflow and TN data in accordance with generic guidelines recommended in the GWLF manual. The GWLF model performance for three calibration and two validation watersheds in CT was compared with results of a detailed model, Hydrological Simulation Program in Fortran, developed in a previous study. The results of the application illustrate the usefulness of the relatively simpler, less parameter‐intensive GWLF model in performing exploratory loading analysis in preparation for adaptive nutrient management in the LIS watersheds. The presented methodology is valuable for identification of priority watersheds for NPS pollution reduction and also for planning‐level evaluation of best management practices to achieve the desired reductions. It is estimated that ground‐water base flow may be the largest pathway for NPS TN to the Sound, contributing about 54% of the total NPS TN load, a finding with significant implications for LIS total maximum daily load reduction scenarios. In addition to ground water, septic systems are estimated to contribute about 17% of the total load, with the remaining TN load being mostly runoff from urban (17%), agricultural (5%), and low impact (e.g., forest) areas (6%).     

世界石油资源空间分布格局演化分析

文章以石油探明储量为考量指标,以1980-2009年为研究时段,分析世界石油资源空间分布格局及其演化特征。根据1980-2009年间世界石油探明储量的阶段性上升走势,可将其大致划分为5个演化阶段,并选取相应的特征时点;针对各特征时点,依托ArcView GIS的空间分类与可视化功能,考察世界石油资源分布的等级体系、空间组合结构及其演化过程。结果表明:①世界石油资源的空间分布总体上呈多中心的圈层结构,其中波斯湾储油圈层和墨西哥湾-加勒比海储油圈层分别是东、西半球的油极,核心地位不断强化,其他七大区域性储油圈层则呈差别成长态势;②世界石油资源的空间分布总体上呈"东升西落"的演化态势,总体分布格局经历了多元化(1980-1985年)、极化(1986-1990年)、再多元化(1991-1997年)、再极化(1998-2001年)、复又多元化(2002-2009年)的演化过程,形成"北集中、南分散"的分布态势;③西半球石油储量空间逐渐分裂,而东半球中部的储油圈层则逐渐对接形成一个巨型弯月状储量带。     

ArcView在视觉影响评价中的应用

简要介绍了视觉影响评价的概念及常用的视觉影响评价手段与方法，说明了运用ArcView软件制作三维模型，作为一种视觉影响评价方法的可行性和科学性。以都江堰拉法基水泥厂建设为例进行视觉影响评价，表明都江堰拉法基水泥厂建设项目对世界文化遗产都江堰、龙溪一虹口国家级自然保护区为代表的区域景观整体的视觉影响是可以接受的。     

县级林相图GIS数据库构建及其数据质量控制研究——以四川省石棉县为例

林相图是林业基本用图,是林业生产、经营、规划设计的依据资料。林相图GIS数据库是林业GIS的基础。以石棉县为例,探讨了县级林相图GIS数据库构建的技术路线和数据质量控制方法,具有推广价值和借鉴意义。     

Modeling the relationship between land use and surface water quality

It is widely known that watershed hydrology is dependent on many factors, including land use, climate, and soil conditions. But the relative impacts of different types of land use on the surface water are yet to be ascertained and quantified. This research attempted to use a comprehensive approach to examine the hydrologic effects of land use at both a regional and a local scale. Statistical and spatial analyses were employed to examine the statistical and spatial relationships of land use and the flow and water quality in receiving waters on a regional scale in the State of Ohio. Besides, a widely accepted watershed-based water quality assessment tool, the Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS), was adopted to model the plausible effects of land use on water quality in a local watershed in the East Fork Little Miami River Basin. The results from the statistical analyses revealed that there was a significant relationship between land use and in-stream water quality, especially for nitrogen, phosphorus and Fecal coliform. The geographic information systems (GIS) spatial analyses identified the watersheds that have high levels of contaminants and percentages of agricultural and urban lands. Furthermore, the hydrologic and water quality modeling showed that agricultural and impervious urban lands produced a much higher level of nitrogen and phosphorus than other land surfaces. From this research, it seems that the approach adopted in this study is comprehensive, covering both the regional and local scales. It also reveals that BASINS is a very useful and reliable tool, capable of characterizing the flow and water quality conditions for the study area under different watershed scales. With little modification, these models should be able to adapt to other watersheds or to simulate other contaminants. They also can be used to study the plausible impacts of global environmental change. In addition, the information on the hydrologic effects of land use is very useful. It can provide guidelines not only for resource managers in restoring our aquatic ecosystems, but also for local planners in devising viable and ecologically-sound watershed development plans, as well as for policy makers in evaluating alternate land management decisions.     

ArcView在区域历史地震信息系统中的应用

Ａｒｃ Ｖｉｅｗ是ＥＳＲＩ公司推出的一个地理信息系统应用软件。本文着重介绍了使用Ａｒｃ Ｖｉｅｗ建立区域历史地震地理信息系统的一般方法和步骤,同时对其中的关键技术进行了分析,区域历史地震信息系统包括地震记录数据库和这些数据进行的必要操作;地震记录包括该欧域内和周边区域有史以来的地震记录;历史地震信息系统主要包括两大功能：数据的输入输出和维护,以及数据的查询和显示。使用Ａｒｃ Ｖｉｅｗ ＧＩＳ软件可