Abstract
Abstract. To ensure reliable results of hydrological models, it is essential that the models reproduce the hydrological process dynamics adequately. Information about simulated process dynamics is provided by looking at the temporal sensitivities of the corresponding model parameters. For this, the temporal dynamics of parameter sensitivity are analysed to identify the simulated hydrological processes. Based on these analyses it can be verified if the simulated hydrological processes match the observed processes of the real world. We present a framework that makes use of processes observed in a study catchment to verify simulated hydrological processes. Temporal dynamics of parameter sensitivity of a hydrological model are interpreted to simulated hydrological processes and compared with observed hydrological processes of the study catchment. The results of the analysis show the appropriate simulation of all relevant hydrological processes in relation to processes observed in the catchment. Thus, we conclude that temporal dynamics of parameter sensitivity are helpful for verifying simulated processes of hydrological models.
Highlights
Discharge, one of the major outputs of hydrological models, is controlled by a number of interacting processes
We demonstrate how to (i) use observed hydrological processes of a catchment for (ii) comparison with TEDPAS results to (iii) verify that processes are adequately simulated by a hydrological model
Temporal parameter sensitivity analyses aim at detecting the similarity between the hydrological model and its underlying system (Razavi et al, 2015), which is in this case described by hydrological processes observed in the catchment
Summary
One of the major outputs of hydrological models, is controlled by a number of interacting processes. A simple comparison of observed and simulated discharge, which is often the only criterion used for model calibration and evaluation, does not take into account the underlying processes that shape the hydrograph. To determine if the model behaviour is consistent with the hydrological processes observed in a catchment, the model structure, i.e. the model equations and parameters, needs to be considered when evaluating the model output Model diagnostic analyses as proposed by Gupta et al (2008) and Yilmaz et al (2008) determine the appropriateness of process descriptions in the model structure. Diagnostic methods help to detect failures in models and the corresponding components that need to be improved (Fenicia et al, 2008; Reusser and Zehe, 2011; Guse et al, 2014)
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