Overview
The objective of this project is to develop a modeling system for
evaluating effects of land use change on catchment hydrology. Modeling
is based on subdivision of a catchment into hydrologically similar
areas, which are identified using spatial data on terrain
properties. Water balance in each area is calculated using a
characteristic hillslope model, which relies on a physically
consistent description of water movement. Runoffs from the
characteristic hillslopes are combined with aid of a streamflow
routing procedure.
Modeling system comprises descriptions for canopy processes, snow
accumulation and melt, soil and groundwater movement, and channel
routing. Field data on throughfall, snow water equivalent, groundwater
table, and streamflow are used for calibration and validation of the
model components. The proposed methodology allows the description of
small-scale effects within that characteristic hillslope which is
exposed to the suggested land use change. This enables prediction of
impacts of different land use scenarios on the total basin
outflow. The modeling system provides the necessary basis for
quantifying the pollutant loads from non-point sources.
The project is related to the framework of post-graduate studies and
post-doctoral research in the Laboratory of Water Resources
Engineering, Helsinki University of Technology.
Background
This project is a followup to an earlier Academy of Finland funded
project "Mathematical models for predicting influence of human
activities on runoff and leachate from watershed areas" during
1996-1998.
Research Team
Professor Pertti Vakkilainen
(head of the project)
Professor Tuomo Karvonen
Harri Koivusalo
Teemu Kokkonen
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Contents
Funding
Academy of Finland
Collaborating organisations
Finnish Environment Institute
The Finnish Meteorological Institute
Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies
Luleå University of Technology
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