Hydrological modeling in a basin of the Brazilian Cerrado biome

  • Jéssica Assaid Martins Rodrigues Departamento de Recursos Hídricos. Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Caixa Postal 3037, CEP: 37200-900, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
  • Alberto Carlos de Oliveira Andrade Departamento de Recursos Hídricos. Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Caixa Postal 3037, CEP: 37200-900, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
  • Marcelo Ribeiro Viola Departamento de Recursos Hídricos. Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Caixa Postal 3037, CEP: 37200-900, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
  • Danton Diego Ferreira Departamento de Automática. Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Caixa Postal 3037, CEP: 37200-900, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
  • Carlos Rogério de Mello Departamento de Recursos Hídricos. Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Caixa Postal 3037, CEP: 37200-900, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
  • Michael Silveira Thebaldi Departamento de Recursos Hídricos. Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Caixa Postal 3037, CEP: 37200-900, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
Keywords: brazilian savannah, hydrologic model, water resources

Abstract

The Brazilian Cerrado biome (BCB) is among 25 biodiversity hotspots identified worldwide, and covers the recharge area of important aquifers and rivers in South America. The increase in deforestation has been threatening water availability in this region. In order to assist in the water-resource management of the BCB, this study models the daily streamflow in a basin of the Cerrado, using two approaches: a process-based model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool - SWAT) and the data-driven model (Artificial Neural Network - ANN). The performance of the models was evaluated by the Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (NSE), coefficient of determination (R2) and flow-duration-curves (FDC). The results indicate that SWAT (NSE > 0.61; R2 > 0.68) and ANN (NSE > 0.91; R2 > 0.79) models are suitable tools in daily streamflow modeling of the studied basin, with the ANN model being the most accurate. Based on FDC, the ANN model was also better than the SWAT model for all frequencies evaluated. Thus, the ANN model is a promising new approach for daily streamflow modelling in this region. Moreover, the results of this study can help water-resource managers in planning and implementing appropriate water allocation and conservation measures in the Brazilian Cerrado biome.


Published
26/01/2021
Section
Papers