Recent progress in modeling surface hydrology across the Amazon Basin using a Variable Infiltration Capacity approach
Daniel
de Castro
Victoria, LGTI - CENA/USP, dvictori@cena.usp.br
(Presenting)
Jeffrey
E.
Richey, School of Oceanography - University of Washington, jrichey@u.washington.edu
Mariza
C.
Costa-Cabral, Dep. of Civil Engineering - University of Washington, cabral@hydro.washington.edu
Alailson
Venceslau
Santiago, PPG Física do Ambiente Agrícola - ESALQ/USP, santiago@esalq.usp.br
Antonio
Roberto
Pereira, LCE - Esalq/USP, arpereir@esalq.usp.br
Emilio
Mayorga, School of Oceanography - University of Washington, emiliom@u.washington.edu
Reynaldo
Luiz
Victória, LGTI - CENA/USP, reyna@cena.usp.br
Maria Victoria
Ramos
Ballester, LGTI - CENA/USP, vicky@cena.usp.br
Since LBA started, a large amount of vital field information has been gathered, improving our knowledge of the Amazon ecosystem dynamics. Due to the extent of the Amazon basin, modeling have became a key tool to synthesize this knowledge and to better understand the basin wide ecosystem functioning. Therefore, to be able to predict the basin hydrology and river biogeochemistry, we are calibrating the VIC (Variable Infiltration Capacity) model for tropical regions, in this case the Amazon basin. First, we are developing specific libraries and input data sets for the area compiled at 0.1o from different sources, including remote sensing, maps and field data. Our initial test area is the Ji-Paraná river basin (RO), in an area of 75.400km2, where we are calibrating the program. Our initial results reveal good temporal and spatial distribution of the evapotranspiration and values in the same range of those measured at the field. Soil texture and land use/cover effects on the water cycle are clearly shown. While pasture areas present lower values of ET, the forest maintains higher levels of ET during the dry season.
Submitted by Daniel de Castro Victoria on 18-MAR-2004
Science Theme: SH (Surface Hydrology and Water Chemistry)