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Modified SWAT Model for Agricultural Watershed in Karst Area of Southwest China

Author

Listed:
  • Junfeng Dai

    (Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China)

  • Linyan Pan

    (College of Environment and Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China
    Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Remediation in Ecologically Fragile Regions, University Engineering Research Center of Green Remediation and Low Carbon Development for Lijiang River Basin, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China)

  • Yan Deng

    (College of Environment and Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China
    Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Remediation in Ecologically Fragile Regions, University Engineering Research Center of Green Remediation and Low Carbon Development for Lijiang River Basin, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China)

  • Zupeng Wan

    (Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China)

  • Rui Xia

    (Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

Abstract

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model is extensively used globally for hydrological and water quality assessments but encounters challenges in karst regions due to their complex surface and groundwater hydrological environments. This study aims to refine the delineation of hydrological response units within the SWAT model by combining geomorphological classification and to enhance the model with an epikarst zone hydrological process module, exploring the accuracy improvement of SWAT model simulations in karst regions of Southwest China. Compared with the simulation results of the original SWAT model, we simulated runoff and nutrient concentrations in the Mudong watershed from January 2017 to December 2021 using the improved SWAT model. The simulation results indicated that the modified SWAT model responded more rapidly to precipitation events, particularly in bare karst landform, aligning more closely with the actual hydrological processes in Southwest China’s karst regions. In terms of the predictive accuracy for monthly loads of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), the coefficient of determination (R 2 ) value of the modified model increased by 10.3% and 9.7%, respectively, and the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE) increased by 11.3% and 9.9%, respectively. The modified SWAT model improves prediction accuracy in karst areas and holds significant practical value for guiding non-point source pollution control in agricultural watersheds.

Suggested Citation

  • Junfeng Dai & Linyan Pan & Yan Deng & Zupeng Wan & Rui Xia, 2025. "Modified SWAT Model for Agricultural Watershed in Karst Area of Southwest China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:2:p:192-:d:1568808
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Sith, Ratino & Watanabe, Atsushi & Nakamura, Takashi & Yamamoto, Takahiro & Nadaoka, Kazuo, 2019. "Assessment of water quality and evaluation of best management practices in a small agricultural watershed adjacent to Coral Reef area in Japan," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 659-673.
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