Evaluation on Effects of Climate and Land-Use Changes on Streamflow and Water Quality in the La Buong River Basin, Southern Vietnam

Dao Nguyen Khoi,Truong Thao Sam,Van Nguyen,Pham Nhi

doi:10.3390/su11247221

Dao Nguyen Khoi, Truong Thao Sam + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su11247221

Copy DOI

Abstract

The effects of climate and land-use changes have put intense pressures on water resources with regard to water quantity and quality in the La Buong River Basin, located in Southern Vietnam. Therefore, an estimate of such effects and their consequences on water resources in this area is needed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the segregated and aggregated effects of climate change and land-use change on streamflow and water quality components (sediment and nutrient loads) using the well-known Soils and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The SWAT model was carefully calibrated and validated against the observation data before it can be used as a simulation tool to study the impacts of climate and land-use changes on hydrological processes. As a result of this study, it shows a reduction in the wet-season and annual streamflow, and sediment and nutrient loads will be occurred in the study area due to climate change effects, while the streamflow, and sediment and nutrient loads will be increased under the effects of the land-use change. Moreover, the streamflow and water quality components are more sensitive to land-use change than climate change. The results obtained from this study can provide a basic knowledge of the effects of climate and land-use changes on the streamflow and water quality to the local and national authorities for the future development of integrated water resources management in the La Buong River Basin.

Highlights

Over the years, water resources regarding water quantity and quality have been under severe pressures due to the consequences of climate and land-use/land-cover changes, of rapid population growth, and socioeconomic development [1]
The objective of this study is to estimate the segregated and aggregated effects of climate change and land-use change on the streamflow, sediment, and nutrient loads in the La Buong River Basin, which is considered as a pilot region of the third largest river basin of Vietnam, the Dong Nai River Basin located in Southern Vietnam
Due to the observation data of water quality components missing for the period from 1983 to 1993, we first performed the calibration and validation of the Soils and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for the streamflow for this period, the calibration and validation of the water quality parameters for another period from 2010 to 2015 were carried out, because the data of sediment and nutrient loads were observed only during this period

Summary

Introduction

Water resources regarding water quantity and quality have been under severe pressures due to the consequences of climate and land-use/land-cover changes, of rapid population growth, and socioeconomic development [1]. Assessment of such effects on water resources becomes a difficult task, because various aspects have to be taken into account, in which the impacts of climate and land-use/land-cover changes are considered as decisive factors [2]. Climate change alters precipitation and temperature, which affect hydrological processes, and, the streamflow and sediment and nutrient loads [3]; whereas, land-use/land-cover change can cause changes in the regional hydrological components, such as evapotranspiration, infiltration, interception, groundwater, and surface runoff. The potential effects of climate change or land-use change on hydrology and water quality are remarkable; the integration of both factors together have significantly accelerated water issues

Objectives

Results

Conclusion