Impact of current conservation practices on sediment load reduction in the Danube River Basin

The European Water Framework Directive requires River Basin authorities to implement adequate measures to meet water quality targets in freshwater bodies. Integrated watershed models can be used to assess the impact of conservation management practices that are already in place or planned for future action. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of conservation management practices that are already implemented on sediment concentration and load in the Danube River Basin. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used for simulating sediment concentrations and loads across the Basin. Spatial information on conservation management practices was derived from European databases and maps. Data comprised agricultural conservation practices (cover crops, residue management, conservation tillage, and green infrastructure), distribution and type of riparian areas, and main barrages along the stream network. These conservation practices were included in the set-up of a SWAT model of the entire Danube Basin. The model was calibrated and validated for streamflow and sediment concentration at multiple gauging stations for the period 1995-2009, following a five year warm-up period. The calibrated model was then employed to assess the relative impact of different management practices on sediment outputs at several key points in the Basin. Practice management data, SWAT modelling of practices, adaptation of SWAT sediment model to large scale application, and calibration and validation results are presented. The impact of current conservation management practices on sediment concentration and loads in the Basin is discussed to provide guidelines for developing future management plans.

VIGIAK Olga;  MALAGO Anna;  BOURAOUI Faycal;  PASTORI Marco;  BORRELLI Pasquale;  PISTOCCHI Alberto; 

2015-11-12

SWAT

JRC95499