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Hydrology
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Hydrological Processes in Agricultural Watersheds
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Hydrological Processes in Agricultural Watersheds

A special issue of Hydrology (ISSN 2306-5338). This special issue belongs to the section "Hydrological and Hydrodynamic Processes and Modelling".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 6582

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Lin Lin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
Interests: hydrological modelling; groundwater numerical simulation; data assimilation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrological processes in agricultural watershed issues are often very challenging. The pressures on agricultural water resources are increasing with different scales of watershed development involving ecological, pedological and hydrological consequences in river basins and groundwater aquifers, and water environment deterioration.

All this leads to an increasing need to investigate the effects of different human activities and natural impacts on the hydrological processes; water environments such as land-use changes, climatic variability and climate change; and intensified water and fertilizer practices. Moreover economic, environmental, and social issues are considered more and more in water resource research. In this context, computer-based models can help to choose the right plans, designs, and policies to obtain the desired impacts.

In recent years, advances in computer techniques have allowed water scientists to develop complex models at different scales to support hydrological processes in agricultural watersheds.

This Special Issue is focused on recent advances in models and methods for agricultural watersheds.

This Special Issue will showcase manuscripts that link the following themes:

  1. Watershed scale hydrological modeling;
  2. Algorithms based on deep learning and machine learning;
  3. Eco-hydrological modeling;
  4. Pedo-hydrological processes;
  5. Climate change impacts on watershed management;
  6. Carbon–hydrological cycle;
  7. Groundwater hydrology;
  8. Pollutant transport and water quality assessment;
  9. Parameter inversion.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Dr. Lin Lin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Hydrology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • distributed hydrological model
  • eco-hydrological modeling
  • pedo-hydrology
  • deep learning and machine learning
  • climate change
  • runoff forecasting
  • carbon–hydrological cycle
  • groundwater numerical simulation
  • pollutant transport
  • parameter inversion

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1715 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Best Management Practice Efficacy Based on Seasonal Variability and Spatial Scales
by Vivek Venishetty, Prem B. Parajuli, Filip To, Dipesh Nepal, Beth Baker and Veera Gnaneswar Gude
Hydrology 2024, 11(4), 58; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology11040058 - 20 Apr 2024
Viewed by 395
Abstract
Implementing best management practices (BMPs) has proven to be an efficient method for reducing non-point source (NPS) pollutants. Agricultural NPS pollution is considered to be a major contributor to water quality impairment. This study aims to assess the variation in hydrologic and water [...] Read more.
Implementing best management practices (BMPs) has proven to be an efficient method for reducing non-point source (NPS) pollutants. Agricultural NPS pollution is considered to be a major contributor to water quality impairment. This study aims to assess the variation in hydrologic and water quality outputs at field and watershed scales when BMPs are implemented using modeling approaches. The Yazoo River Watershed (YRW) is the largest watershed basin in the state of Mississippi with approximately 50% agricultural land. Runoff generated from agricultural areas carries sediments and nutrients. The Merigold watershed (MW) is a sub-basin of the YRW and a field-scale watershed with most of the land use being agriculture. It is essential to quantify the streamflow, sediment, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) when BMPs are implemented. BMPs such as vegetative filter strips (VFS) and cover crops (CC) were tested in this study. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was applied to quantify the watershed’s hydrologic and water quality outputs. SWAT model accuracy assessment was performed by calibration and validation process using the Nash and Sutcliffe Efficiency Index (NSE). Model performance was satisfactory for monthly streamflow, with NSE values in the range of 0.62 to 0.81, and for daily sediments, TN, and TP load estimation, with NSE values of 0.21, 0.20, and 0.47, respectively. CC was planted after harvesting the main crop. Therefore, it is essential to quantify the seasonal reduction in pollutants. Water quality was improved after BMP implementation, and an overall decrease in streamflow, sediment, TN, and TP loads was observed for both MW and YRW during dry and wet seasons. Previous studies regarding seasonal assessments with CC implementation in the MW and YRW were limited. Therefore, the results from this study could be a unique addition to the scientific literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Processes in Agricultural Watersheds)
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27 pages, 4897 KiB  
Article
Calibrating Agro-Hydrological Model under Grazing Activities and Its Challenges and Implications
by Amanda M. Nelson, Mahesh L. Maskey, Brian K. Northup and Daniel N. Moriasi
Hydrology 2024, 11(4), 42; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology11040042 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1107
Abstract
Recently, the Agricultural Policy Extender (APEX) model was enhanced with a grazing module, and the modified grazing database, APEXgraze, recommends sustainable livestock farming practices. This study developed a combinatorial deterministic approach to calibrate runoff-related parameters, assuming a normal probability distribution for each parameter. [...] Read more.
Recently, the Agricultural Policy Extender (APEX) model was enhanced with a grazing module, and the modified grazing database, APEXgraze, recommends sustainable livestock farming practices. This study developed a combinatorial deterministic approach to calibrate runoff-related parameters, assuming a normal probability distribution for each parameter. Using the calibrated APEXgraze model, the impact of grazing operations on native prairie and cropland planted with winter wheat and oats in central Oklahoma was assessed. The existing performance criteria produced four solutions with very close values for calibrating runoff at the farm outlet, exhibiting equifinality. The calibrated results showed that runoff representations had coefficients of determination and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiencies >0.6 in both watersheds, irrespective of grazing operations. Because of non-unique solutions, the key parameter settings revealed different metrics yielding different response variables. Based on the least objective function value, the behavior of watersheds under different management and grazing intensities was compared. Model simulations indicated significantly reduced water yield, deep percolation, sediment yield, phosphorus and nitrogen loadings, and plant temperature stress after imposing grazing, particularly in native prairies, as compared to croplands. Differences in response variables were attributed to the intensity of tillage and grazing activities. As expected, grazing reduced forage yields in native prairies and increased crop grain yields in cropland. The use of a combinatorial deterministic approach to calibrating parameters offers several new research benefits when developing farm management models and quantifying sensitive parameters and uncertainties that recommend optimal farm management strategies under different climate and management conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Processes in Agricultural Watersheds)
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13 pages, 2830 KiB  
Article
Sensitivity of Groundwater Recharge Assessment to Input Data in Arid Areas
by Salah Basem Ajjur and Emanuele Di Lorenzo
Hydrology 2024, 11(2), 28; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology11020028 - 14 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1386
Abstract
Natural groundwater recharge (GR) assessment depends on several hydrogeological and climatic inputs, where uncertainty is inevitable. Assessing how inputs’ uncertainty affects GR estimation is important; however, it remains unclear in arid areas. This study assesses inputs’ uncertainty by examining the changes in GR [...] Read more.
Natural groundwater recharge (GR) assessment depends on several hydrogeological and climatic inputs, where uncertainty is inevitable. Assessing how inputs’ uncertainty affects GR estimation is important; however, it remains unclear in arid areas. This study assesses inputs’ uncertainty by examining the changes in GR simulations resulting from modifications in climatic, land use, and soil inputs. A physical-based hydrological model was built to estimate GR from 18 different GR scenarios across Qatar. Scenarios S1–S7 were created from different climatic inputs but identical land use and soil maps. Scenarios S8–S14 were created from different land use maps (analyzed from historical Landsat satellite images) but similar climatic and soil inputs. In S15–S18, the soil parameters were changed while the climatic and land use maps were kept the same. The results show that climatic inputs are key factors controlling the GR in arid areas, followed by land use inputs and soil classification. A strong correlation was observed between the GR values and precipitation, while moderate (non-significant) correlations were observed between the GR values and potential evapotranspiration and wind speed. Soil changes affected the GR simulations but inconsiderably compared with climatic and land use inputs. Since GR estimation is fundamental but uncertain in arid areas, the study findings contribute to narrowing the uncertainty in GR estimation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Processes in Agricultural Watersheds)
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21 pages, 7267 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of BMPs in Flatland Watershed with Pumped Outlet
by Rituraj Shukla, Ramesh Rudra, Prasad Daggupati, Colin Little, Alamgir Khan, Pradeep Goel and Shiv Prasher
Hydrology 2024, 11(2), 22; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology11020022 - 03 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1631
Abstract
The effectiveness of existing and potential best management practices (BMPs) to cropped lands in the Jeannette Creek watershed (Thames River basin, Ontario, Canada) in reducing P loads at its pumped outlets was assessed using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Existing BMPs [...] Read more.
The effectiveness of existing and potential best management practices (BMPs) to cropped lands in the Jeannette Creek watershed (Thames River basin, Ontario, Canada) in reducing P loads at its pumped outlets was assessed using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Existing BMPs consisted of banded, incorporated, and variable phosphorus (P)-rate application, conservation tillage, cover crops, and vegetative buffer strips. Potential BMPs consisted of banded P application, no-till, and a cover crop following winter wheat. Two separately delineated sub-watersheds, J1 and J2, characterized by a flat topography and distinct pumped outlets, were selected for analysis. Despite challenges in delineation, the SWAT model was successfully set up to assess the impact of BMPs in reducing P loads in these sub-watersheds. Each BMP was systematically removed, and the resulting simulated P loads were compared with the baseline scenario. Compared to cover crops or vegetative buffer strips, the implementation of conservation tillage and no-till, along with altering the mode of P application, offered superior effectiveness in reducing the P load. On average, the annual reduction in total P (Ptot) loads under existing BMPs was 9.2% in J1 and 11.3% in J2, whereas, under potential BMPs, this reduction exceeded 60% in both watersheds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Processes in Agricultural Watersheds)
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19 pages, 3560 KiB  
Article
Detection of Strobilurin Fungicides in Trout Streams within an Agricultural Watershed
by Cole R. Weaver, Meghan Brockman, Neal D. Mundahl, William A. Arnold, Dylan Blumentritt, Will L. Varela and Jeanne L. Franz
Hydrology 2024, 11(2), 13; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrology11020013 - 25 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1618
Abstract
The use of strobilurin fungicides in agriculture has increased steadily during the past 25 years, and although strobilurins have minimal water solubility, they regularly appear in surface waters, at times in concentrations approaching toxic levels for aquatic life. The present study examined concentrations [...] Read more.
The use of strobilurin fungicides in agriculture has increased steadily during the past 25 years, and although strobilurins have minimal water solubility, they regularly appear in surface waters, at times in concentrations approaching toxic levels for aquatic life. The present study examined concentrations of strobilurin fungicides in designated trout streams draining an agricultural watershed in southeastern Minnesota, USA, where fungicides may have contributed to a recent fish kill. Water samples (n = 131) were analyzed for the presence of five different strobilurin fungicides (azoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin). Samples were collected via grab and automated sampling during baseflow and stormflow events throughout an entire crop-growing season from sites on each of the three forks of the Whitewater River. Detection frequencies for the five strobilurins ranged from 44 to 82%. Fluoxastrobin and pyraclostrobin concentrations were above known toxic levels in 3% and 15% of total samples analyzed, respectively. The highest concentrations were detected in mid-summer (mid-June to mid-August) samples, coincident with likely strobilurin applications. Lower concentrations were present in water samples collected during the nonapplication periods in spring and fall, suggesting groundwater–stream interactions or steady leaching of fungicides from watershed soils or stream sediments. Further study is required to determine strobilurin concentrations in sediments, soils, and groundwater. Better tracking and guidance regarding strobilurin use is necessary to adequately protect aquatic life as fungicide use continues to increase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Processes in Agricultural Watersheds)
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