Assessment of SWC intervention impacts at the watershed scale: Case study of Rmel watershed in central Tunisia. In B. Elleuch, 2nd International Conference on Integrated Environmental Management for Sustainable Development. Book of Proceedings. 251-265.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the large scale impacts of the bench terrace SWC technique widely applied in central and northern Tunisia using SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool). The model was set up for the 675 km2 large Rmel watershed located in northeastern of Tunisia. Daily stream flow data from the outlet of the watershed was used for model calibration (observation years 2000-2006) and validation (observation years 2007-2011) respectively. The model allowed to satisfactorily assess the runoff characteristics of Rmel watershed locally affected by bench terrace treatment of agricultural areas achieving a model efficiency (Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE)) of 61% and 89% for calibration and validation. After successful set up and calibration the model was used to generate a zero treatment scenario) for comparison. Thus, to evaluate the spatially variable effect of bench terraces on surface runoff to provide a tool for targeted land and water management.