Hydrological Modeling and Sustainable Water Resources Management

A special issue of Environments (ISSN 2076-3298).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 4768

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Department of Civil Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada
Interests: hydrological modeling; wastewater modeling; uncertainty analysis; machine learning; life cycle assessment
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Guest Editor
School of Management, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, China
Interests: environmental risk analysis; water quality management; uncertainty analysis; data-driven modeling
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Guest Editor
1. SKLLQG, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
2. CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an, China
Interests: hydrology; ground water; surface water; geology; water quality assessment; geochemistry; chemical weathering
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Department of Civil Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Interests: uncertainty analysis; risk management; stochastic modelling; water resources management; climate change impacts; environmental systems analysis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrological modeling and the sustainable management of water resources play a vital role in addressing the complicated challenges related to water availability, quality, and sustainability. For instance, hydrological models are essential for flood control, while the management of water resources facilitates sustainable socio-economic development.

In the era of increasing water stress, this Special Issue, entitled ‘Hydrological Modeling and Sustainable Water Resources Management’ serves as a platform for researchers to demonstrate problem-solving wisdom in this critical field. Our aim is to present innovative solutions and share cutting-edge research that can inspire, enhance and transform the way we model and manage water resources.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions that push the boundaries of hydrological modeling and offer insights into the effective management of water resources. We encourage submissions that explore emerging trends such as machine learning, remote sensing, digital twins, and data assimilation techniques to enhance our understanding of hydrological processes. Additionally, studies of computer simulation, risk analysis, and decision support for water resources are welcomed. Complementing these topics, this Special Issue seeks to encompass the latest developments in environmental modeling and technology, delve into environmental management, and highlight the critical role of environmental impact and risk assessment.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Hydrology.

Dr. Pengxiao Zhou
Dr. Qianqian Zhang
Dr. Fei Zhang
Dr. Zoe Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • hydrological modeling
  • data-driven models
  • human activity impacts on water quantity and quality
  • nonstationary rainfall runoff
  • runflow prediction
  • extreme event causality, impact and prediction
  • climate change impacts and adaptation
  • water resource management
  • flood and drought risks
  • risk analysis and management

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 2889 KiB  
Article
Simulating Agricultural Water Recycling Using the APEX Model
by Luca Doro, Xiuying Wang and Jaehak Jeong
Environments 2024, 11(11), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11110244 - 6 Nov 2024
Viewed by 137
Abstract
Irrigation plays a vital role in many agricultural crop production regions. Drainage water recycling (DWR) is a popular irrigation water management system that collects excess water drained from cropland fields and stores it in on-site reservoirs for reuse. The efficacy of these systems [...] Read more.
Irrigation plays a vital role in many agricultural crop production regions. Drainage water recycling (DWR) is a popular irrigation water management system that collects excess water drained from cropland fields and stores it in on-site reservoirs for reuse. The efficacy of these systems varies by location, climate, irrigation frequency, and crop demands. Simulating this system would be beneficial for assessing the impact of water and land management practices on agriculture and natural resources. This study presents the development of computational algorithms for DWR simulation with the Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender (APEX) model, along with the results for 39 testing sites where both reservoir and drainage systems are adopted. Simulating a DWR system with the revised reservoir module, the APEX model simulates irrigation water reuse ranging between 29% and 93%; sediment reduction of around 66%; nitrogen loss reduction of 23% and 73% for the mineral and organic forms, respectively; and phosphorus loss reduction of 22% and 79% for the soluble and sediment-transported forms, respectively. In conclusion, the results provided by the APEX model for sediment loss reduction align with field data, but discrepancies for nitrogen and phosphorus losses emerged from this test. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Modeling and Sustainable Water Resources Management)
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19 pages, 6609 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Impact of Urbanization and Climate Change on Hydrological Processes in a Suburban Catchment
by Sharon Bih Kimbi, Shin-ichi Onodera, Kunyang Wang, Ichirow Kaihotsu and Yuta Shimizu
Environments 2024, 11(10), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11100225 - 15 Oct 2024
Viewed by 811
Abstract
Global urbanization, population growth, and climate change have considerably impacted water resources, making sustainable water resource management (WRM) essential. Understanding the changes in hydrological components is important for effective WRM, particularly in cities such as Higashi-Hiroshima, which is known for its saké brewing [...] Read more.
Global urbanization, population growth, and climate change have considerably impacted water resources, making sustainable water resource management (WRM) essential. Understanding the changes in hydrological components is important for effective WRM, particularly in cities such as Higashi-Hiroshima, which is known for its saké brewing industry. This study used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) with Hydrological Response Units (HRUs) to achieve high spatial precision in assessing the impacts of land use change and climate variability on hydrological components in a suburban catchment in western Japan. Over the 30-year study period (1980s–2000s), land use change was the main driver of hydrological variability, whereas climate change played a minor role. Increased surface runoff, along with decrease in groundwater recharge, evapotranspiration, and baseflow, resulted in an overall reduction in water yield, with a 34.9% decrease in groundwater recharge attributed to the transformation of paddy fields into residential areas. Sustainable WRM practices, including water conservation, recharge zone protection, and green infrastructure, are recommended to balance urban development with water sustainability. These findings offer valuable insights into the strategies for managing water resources in rapidly urbanizing regions worldwide, emphasizing the need for an integrated WRM system that considers both land use and climate change impacts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Modeling and Sustainable Water Resources Management)
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13 pages, 1539 KiB  
Article
The Response of Denitrification to Increasing Water Temperature and Nitrate Availability: The Case of a Large Lowland River (Po River, Northern Italy) under a Climate Change Scenario
by Maria Pia Gervasio, Giuseppe Castaldelli and Elisa Soana
Environments 2024, 11(8), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11080179 - 20 Aug 2024
Viewed by 572
Abstract
Water warming and nutrient pulses following extreme rainfall events, both consequences of climate change, may have a profound impact on the biogeochemical dynamics of large temperate rivers, such as the Po River (Northern Italy), affecting denitrification capacity and the delivery of N loads [...] Read more.
Water warming and nutrient pulses following extreme rainfall events, both consequences of climate change, may have a profound impact on the biogeochemical dynamics of large temperate rivers, such as the Po River (Northern Italy), affecting denitrification capacity and the delivery of N loads to terminal water bodies. Manipulative experiments on denitrification kinetics were carried out using dark laboratory incubations of intact sediment cores collected from the lower Po River. Denitrification was measured along temperature and NO3 concentration gradients using 15N additions, in summer and autumn, the two seasons when climate change-induced warming has been shown to be higher. The combination of increased temperatures and pulsed NO3-enhanced denitrification, suggesting that electron acceptor availability limits the process. The direct link between climate change-induced effects and the positive response of denitrification may have implications for the improvement of water quality in the coastal zone, as it may help to partially buffer N export, especially in summer, when the risk of eutrophication is higher. Further research is needed to investigate the quality and quantity of sediment organic matter as important drivers regulating river denitrification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Modeling and Sustainable Water Resources Management)
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Review

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87 pages, 41602 KiB  
Review
The Cultural Ecohydrogeology of Mediterranean-Climate Springs: A Global Review with Case Studies
by Roger Pascual, Lucia Piana, Sami Ullah Bhat, Pedro Fidel Castro, Jordi Corbera, Dion Cummings, Cristina Delgado, Eugene Eades, Roderick J. Fensham, Marcos Fernández-Martínez, Verónica Ferreira, Maria Filippini, Guillermo García, Alessandro Gargini, Stephen D. Hopper, Lynette Knapp, Ian D. Lewis, Josep Peñuelas, Catherine Preece, Vincent H. Resh, Estela Romero, Boudjéma Samraoui, Farrah Samraoui, Stefano Segadelli, Nikolaos Th. Skoulikidis, Cüneyt N. Solak, Jaume Solé, Karen G. Villholth, Huma Khurshid Wani, Marco Cantonati and Lawrence E. Stevensadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Environments 2024, 11(6), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11060110 - 27 May 2024
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Abstract
Cultures in Mediterranean climate zones (MCZs) around the world have long been reliant on groundwater and springs as freshwater sources. While their ecology and cultural sustainability are recognized as critically important, inter-relationships between springs and culture in MCZs have received less attention. Here [...] Read more.
Cultures in Mediterranean climate zones (MCZs) around the world have long been reliant on groundwater and springs as freshwater sources. While their ecology and cultural sustainability are recognized as critically important, inter-relationships between springs and culture in MCZs have received less attention. Here we augmented a global literature review with case studies in MCZ cultural landscapes to examine the diversity and intensity of cultural and socio-economic relationships on spring ecohydrogeology. MCZs are often oriented on western and southern coasts in tectonically active landscapes which control aquifer structure, the prevalence of westerly winds, and aridity, and generally expose associated habitats and cultures to harsh afternoon sunlight. Cultural appreciation and appropriation of springs ranges widely, from their use as subsistence water supplies to their roles in profound traditions such as Greco-Roman nymphalea as well as Asian and Abrahamic spiritual cleansing and baptism. The abandonment of traditional ways of life, such as rural livestock production, for urban ones has shifted impacts on aquifers from local to regional groundwater exploitation. The commoditization of water resources for regional agricultural, industrial (e.g., mining, water bottling, geothermal resorts), and urban uses is placing ever-increasing unsustainable demands on aquifers and spring ecosystems. When the regional economic value of springs approaches or exceeds local cultural values, these irreplaceable aquatic ecosystems are often degraded, over-looked, and lost. Sustainable stewardship of springs and the aquifers that support them is a poorly recognized but central conservation challenge for modern Mediterranean societies as they face impending impacts of global climate change. Solutions to this crisis require education, societal dialogue, and improved policy and implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Modeling and Sustainable Water Resources Management)
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