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The Soil and Water Assessment Tool: Historical Development, Applications, and Future Research Directions

Author

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  • Gassman, Philip W.
  • Reyes, Manuel R.
  • Green, Colleen H.
  • Arnold, Jeffrey G.

Abstract

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model is a continuation of nearly 30 years of modeling efforts conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service. SWAT has gained international acceptance as a robust interdisciplinary watershed modeling tool, as evidenced by international SWAT conferences, hundreds of SWAT-related papers presented at numerous scientific meetings, and dozens of articles published in peer-reviewed journals. The model has also been adopted as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's BASINS (Better Assessment Science Integrating Point & Nonpoint Sources) software package and is being used by many U.S. federal and state agencies, including the USDA within the Conservation Effects Assessment Project. At present, over 250 peer-reviewed, published articles have been identified that report SWAT applications, reviews of SWAT components, or other research that includes SWAT. Many of these peer-reviewed articles are summarized here according to relevant application categories such as streamflow calibration and related hydrologic analyses, climate change impacts on hydrology, pollutant load assessments, comparisons with other models, and sensitivity analyses and calibration techniques. Strengths and weaknesses of the model are presented, and recommended research needs for SWAT are provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Gassman, Philip W. & Reyes, Manuel R. & Green, Colleen H. & Arnold, Jeffrey G., 2007. "The Soil and Water Assessment Tool: Historical Development, Applications, and Future Research Directions," Hebrew University of Jerusalem Archive 10285, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:hebarc:10285
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.10285
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    1. Attwood, J. D. & McCarl, B. & Chen, Chi-Chung & Eddleman, B. R. & Nayda, B. & Srinivasan, R., 2000. "Assessing regional impacts of change: linking economic and environmental models," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 147-159, March.
    2. Chanasyk, D. S. & Mapfumo, E. & Willms, W., 2003. "Quantification and simulation of surface runoff from fescue grassland watersheds," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 59(2), pages 137-153, March.
    3. Kang, M.S. & Park, S.W. & Lee, J.J. & Yoo, K.H., 2006. "Applying SWAT for TMDL programs to a small watershed containing rice paddy fields," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 79(1), pages 72-92, January.
    4. Zeyuan Qiu, 2005. "Using Multi-Criteria Decision Models to Assess the Economic and Environmental Impacts of Farming Decisions in an Agricultural Watershed," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 27(2), pages 229-244.
    5. Zeyuan Qiu, 2005. "Using Multi-Criteria Decision Models to Assess the Economic and Environmental Impacts of Farming Decisions in an Agricultural Watershed," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 27(2), pages 229-244.
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