Environmental models are often over-parameterized. A sensitivity analysis can identify influential model parameters for, e.g. the parameter estimation process, model development, research prioritization and so on. This paper presents the results of an extensive study of the Latin-Hypercube–One-factor-At-a-Time (LH-OAT) procedure applied to the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The LH-OAT is a sensitivity analysis method that can be categorized as a screening method. The results of the sensitivity analyses for all output variables indicate that the SWAT model of the river Kleine Nete is mainly sensitive to flow related parameters. Rarely, water quality parameters get a high priority ranking. It is observed that the number of intervals used for the Latin-Hypercube sampling should be sufficiently high to achieve converged parameter rankings. Additionally, it is noted that the LH-OAT method can enhance the understanding of the model, e.g. on the use of water quality input data.
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Research Article|
February 01 2012
Multi-variable sensitivity and identifiability analysis for a complex environmental model in view of integrated water quantity and water quality modeling
Jiri Nossent;
1Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Earth System Sciences Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
E-mail: jnossent@vub.ac.be
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Willy Bauwens
Willy Bauwens
1Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Earth System Sciences Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Water Sci Technol (2012) 65 (3): 539–549.
Article history
Received:
June 24 2011
Accepted:
September 28 2011
Citation
Jiri Nossent, Willy Bauwens; Multi-variable sensitivity and identifiability analysis for a complex environmental model in view of integrated water quantity and water quality modeling. Water Sci Technol 1 February 2012; 65 (3): 539–549. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.884
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