Abstract

Runoff generation processes and pathways vary widely between catchments. Credible simulations of solute and pollutant transport in surface waters are dependent on models which facilitate appropriate, catchment-specific representations of perceptual models of the runoff generation process. Here, we present a flexible, semi-distributed landscape-scale rainfall-runoff modelling toolkit suitable for simulating a broad range of user-specified perceptual models of runoff generation and stream flow occurring in different climatic regions and landscape types. PERSiST (the Precipitation, Evapotranspiration and Runoff Simulator for Solute Transport) is designed for simulating present-day hydrology; projecting possible future effects of climate or land use change on runoff and catchment water storage; and generating hydrologic inputs for the Integrated Catchments (INCA) family of models. PERSiST has limited data requirements and is calibrated using observed time series of precipitation, air temperature and runoff at one or more points in a river network. Here, we apply PERSiST to the river Thames in the UK and describe a Monte Carlo tool for model calibration, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis.

Published in

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
2014, Volume: 18, number: 2, pages: 855-873
Publisher: COPERNICUS GESELLSCHAFT MBH

SLU Authors

• Futter, Martyn

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Oni, Stephen

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Future Forests


Sustainable Development Goals

SDG6 Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
SDG13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts


UKÄ Subject classification

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-855-2014

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/53614