LISEM: A SINGLE-EVENT PHYSICALLY BASED HYDROLOGICAL AND SOIL EROSION MODEL FOR DRAINAGE BASINS. I: THEORY, INPUT AND OUTPUT

Abstract

A new physically based hydrological and soil erosion model has been developed, which can be used for planning and conservation purposes: the LImburg Soil Erosion Model (LISEM). The LISEM model is one of the first examples of a physically based model that is completely incorporated in a raster Geographical Information System. This incorporation facilitates easy application in larger catchments, improves the user friendliness by avoiding conversion routines and allows remotely sensed data to be used. Processes incorporated in the model are rainfall, interception, surface storage in micro-depressions, infiltration and vertical movement of water in the soil, overland flow, channel flow, detachment by rainfall and throughfall, detachment by overland flow and transport capacity of the flow. Special attention has been given to the influence of tractor wheelings, small roads and surface sealing. Vertical movement of water in the soil is simulated using the Richard's equation. Optionally, the user can choose the Holtan or the Green–Ampt infiltration model. For the distribution flow routing, a four-point finite-difference solution of the kinematic wave is used together with Manning's equation.