Probabilistic approach to modeling under changing scenarios

The complexity of the hydrologic system challenges the development of models. One issue faced at model development stage is the uncertainty involved when calibrating and validating the model. Model inputs and parameters can introduce large amount of uncertainties that can be propagated non-linearly to the model outputs. Additionally, several sets of parameters may also exist that acceptably represent the system (i.e., equifinality). As a result, converting model outputs into important environmental decisions become challenging. The main objective of this study was to define a framework that facilitates model development while evaluating uncertainty to assess the impacts of land management practices at watershed scale. A two-step probabilistic approach to model calibration and parametrization was implemented using global uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. The Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model was developed for the Lake Creek Watershed in Oklahoma using probabilistic parameters to derive the spectrum of responses of the model for water yield and nitrogen loads. A variance-based sensitivity analysis was used to identify the most important parameters, and their ranges, that drive these spectrum of responses. The baseline APEX model, composed of twenty-seven different sets of parameters, was then applied to estimate the water yield and N loads in the watershed for 7 years (2007-2013) under different land management scenarios. The total monthly water yield was found to range from 0.17 to 41.5 mm with an uncertainty of 11%, while the total monthly Nitrogen loads can vary from 0 to 5.3 kg/ha with uncertainty of 50%. Four alternative land use scenarios (75% Pasture, 100% Pasture, 75% Winter Wheat, and 100% Winter Wheat) and two alternative land management scenarios (conventional tillage for grain, and conventional tillage for graze out) were proposed and simulated over the study area to observe their effects on the monthly N loads. Results suggested that changes in land use and land management did not affect the total water yield at watershed scale. However, the N loads showed a high variability ranging from 0.1 to 1.2 kg/ha during summer and fall seasons, with uncertainty of up to 77%. The 100% Pasture scenario was the most effective alternative in reducing nitrogen, the N loads in this scenario did not exceed 0.9 kg/ha in any season. This methodology demonstrated that the modeling process, coupled with the evaluation of uncertainty and equifinality, facilitate the adjustment of input/parameters and quantify the uncertainties in the model outputs. By considering all possible parameter combinations that represent the response of the system, the most likely ranges of hydrologic outcomes can be established under changing scenarios while accounting for the associated uncertainty.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Agricultural & Biological Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2017

Author dc:creator

• Prada Sepulveda, Andres Felipe

Contributors dc:contributor

• Chu, Maria L.

• Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model
• Uncertainty analysis
• Sensitivity analysis
• Best management practices
• Probabilistic approach
• Equifinality

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2016 Andres Prada Sepulveda

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/95313

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/95313