A semi-distributed hydrological model and its application in a macroscale basin in China.

A semi-distributed monthly water balance model is proposed and developed to simulate and predict hydrological processes and water resources. Geographical Information System techniques are used as a tool to analyse topography, river network, land use, human activities, and vegetation and soil characteristics. The model parameters are linked with these basin characteristics by the regression and optimization methods. A parameterization scheme is developed and the model parameters are estimated for each grid. Based on the different general circulation model (GCM) and regional climate model (RCM) outputs, the sensitivities of hydrology and water resources to global warming are studied. It is found that the proposed models are capable of producing both the magnitude and timing of runoff and soil moisture conditions, for modelling sustainable water resources development.