Assessment of the effects of land use patterns on hydrologic landscape functions: development of sustainable land use concepts for low mountain range areas

摘要: Risk assessment of future land use changes with respect to their ecological impact is still an unsolved problem. The implementation sustainable concepts for mesoscale catchments requires a methodology that able quantify the effects on water balance this ecosystem. Paired catchment experiments scale are either not feasible or too time-consuming and expensive, results usually transferable other regions. Thus application hydrological models can clarify processes involved support well-balanced management decisions. The GIS-linked software package IOSWAT consisting pre-processing tools TOPAZ, SUSAT SWATGRASS, ecohydrologic model SWAT-G post-processing program OUTGRASS were tested in German Aar watershed (60 km2), which located low mountain range area federal state Hessen. aim modelling exercise development method change analysis order derive options. different average field sizes spatial distribution agricultural production systems was analysed by economic ProLand. Spatially distributed scenarios size 0·5, 0·75, 1, 2, 5, 10 20 ha have been provided form raster maps resolution 25 m × system regard effect. In general, predicts reasonable annual trends components under investigation. However, absolute due deforestation, augmentation grassland crops remain much smaller than expected. peak flow rate especially affected use. strongest be observed pattern within catchment. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.