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During the coming 40 years the world population will increase to 9 billion inhabitants. Therefore the gap between potential and actual production that still exists in many parts of the world, needs to be closed or at least narrowed. This requires a transition or innovation towards highly efficient agricultural production systems without compromising the ecosystems in which the future world population will live. Water availability and water allocation is at the basis of water security, which is essential for food security as a cross-cutting issue that requires a management approach on the sub basin and basin level.
The project focuses on the use of the SWAT model in the Limpopo basin in Southern Africa. The study is aimed at one application at the local scale and one at the sub basin scale. For the required input data of the model, GIS data is an important aspect, since SWAT uses the interface ArcSWAT as a modeling framework. The water quality modules (incl. sediments) in the SWAT model need to be explored and some processes will be included in the case study. Furthermore a scenario-analysis will be included in the study to support the design of future agro-ecosystems with increased water and nutrient productivity in agriculture. Research acitivities:
- Introduction to the SWAT model and its user interface ArcSWAT;
- Get acquited with the Limpopo basin and collect required input data (GIS data and other required by the tools);
- Set up of SWAT model for the local scale and for a sub basin (Limpopo);
- Analysis of specific measures on the local and sub basin scale (to reduce environmental impact);
- Reporting.
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