Modelling spatial distribution of surface runoff and sediment yield in a Chinese river basin without continuous sediment monitoring

In numerous river basins, continuous data are available for streamflow, but not for sediment transport, soil erosion and sediment yield. Our study shows an approach to assess the spatial distribution of surface runoff and sediment yield in a data-scarce Chinese river basin. Specific objectives of this study were (a) to use the process-based, ecohydrological model SWAT and to parameterize it by fixing as many parameters as possible in advance using field observations, measured data and literature; (b) to calculate streamflow and suspended sediment at the basin outlet as well as surface runoff and sediment yield in each sub-basin using SWAT; and (c) to validate and check the credibility of our simulated results using published literature on land use and associated land management. Our modelling results show a spatial distribution of sediment yield between all 50 sub-basins (0 to 7 t ha(-1) year(-1)) with highest amounts predicted for cabbage cultivation (37.5 t ha(-1) year(-1)) and only low values for forest (0.2 t ha(-1) year(-1)). Previous studies used for validation purposes approve our findings. [GRAPHICS] Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Guest editor V. Krysanova