Abstract
Main publication is written in Chinese.
Aims: Optimal spatial scale of hydrological response unit (HRU) is a precondition for eco-hydrological modeling as it is essential to improve accuracy. Our objective was to evaluate the spatial scale of HRU for application of the WASSSI-C model.
Methods: We determined the best HRU scale for the eco-hydrological model (WASSI-C) through examining the modeling accuracies at different HRU thresholds. This study focused on a large watershed, the upper Zagunao River watershed, situated in the upper reach of the Minjiang River, Yangtze River Basin, China.
Important findings: Variation of spatial scales in HRU significantly affected the modeling accuracy. With the increase of the spatial scale of HRU, the accuracy of simulated results firstly increased then remained relatively unchanged and then decreased, suggesting existence of a threshold around 85 km2 in HRU for this model for this watershed. We validated the model using this optimum spatial scale and discussed the potential to improve model output by addressing input parameters such as temperature.
Keywords
eco-hydrological model,
hydrological response unit (HRU),
spatial scale
Citation
Liu, Ning; Sun, Peng-Sen; Liu, Shi-Rong; Sun, Ge. 2013. Determination of spatial scale of response unit for WASSI-C eco hydrological model a case study on the upper Zagunao River watershed of China. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology 37(2):0 0. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1258.2013.00000
