Author(s): Vajapeyam Srirangachar Srinivasan; Jose Guimaraes Carvalho Neto; Iana Alexandra Alves Rufino

Linked Author(s): Vajapeyam S. Srinivasan

Keywords: Semiarid basins; Management alternatives; SWAT model; Simulation

Abstract: Hydrologic models are efficient tools that can be used in the simulation of alternative scenarios to help in the decision making processes of water resources planning. The proper management of semiarid basins in the northeast of Brazil requires some basic knowledge about the basin response in terms of the runoff generated and the associated sediment production due to the erosion processes. The present paper deals with the application of the model SWAT- Soil and Water Assessment Tool- to simulate a basin located in the semiarid region of the State of Paraiba in the northeast of Brazil. The model was initially calibrated for runoff in one of the sub-basins and verified in another. Six different alternatives of basin management including the present conditions of use were simulated using the calibrated model. The alternatives considered were: the existing situation of the basin with and without the reservoirs; native vegetation cover, reforestation with “Algaroba” tree; corn cultivation; and, total deforestation to bare soil. The results show that reforestation with “Algaroba” is the best conservation alternative against soil erosion and the cultivation of corn is only better than totally cleared land surface.

DOI:

Year: 2013