AVSWAT- a Spatial Decision Support System for Land and water management and its application for watershed

management in Bankura district of West Bengal

Debapriya Dutta NRDMS Division, Department of Science and Technology Technology Bhavan New Delhi- 110016. India. Tel:91-011-6962819(Ext. 202/262), Fax:91-011-6516076 psa@alpha.nic.in

Abstract Decision Support Systems (DSS) are defined as computer-based information systems designed to support decision makers interactively in thinking and making decisions about relatively unstructured problems. Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) , which are the integration of DSS and GIS was initiated by Densham and Goodchild ( 1988) are emerging as efficient tools for managing natural resources like land and water. AVSWAT ( Arc View- SWAT) , a user- friendly PC based SDSS tool has been developed at the Black Land Research Center , Temple, Texas, USA integrating Soil and Water Analysis Tool (SWAT) and Arc View GIS version 3.0a software along with Spatial Analyst version 1.1 extension. SWAT is a continuous time river basin or watershed scale model operating on daily time step. In the present study, the tool was applied in digitally delineating watersheds in a block of Bankura district of West Bengal and then it was used for estimating potential water ,silt and crop yield from each of them. This would be helpful in prioritising the watersheds and presenting the results spatially for the district level decision makers. Key Words: Spatial Decision Support System, AVSWAT, Watershed Management. Decision Support Systems (DSS) are defined as computer -based information systems designed to support decision makers interactively in thinking and making decisions about relatively unstructured problems. Traditionally, DSSs have three major components, a database, a model base and a user interface as depicted in Fig. 1a. An extension of the DSS concept, Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS), which are the integration of DSS and GIS (Fig. 1b) was initiated by Densham and Goodchild ( 1988).

GIS is a general purpose technology for handling geographic data in digital form, with the ability to preprocess data into a form suitable for analysis, to support analysis and modelling directly, and to post-process results (Goodchild, 1993). A significant capability of the SDSS is the ability to use spatial analysis and display tools with the sectoral models and that would form the model base of SDSSs. The modeling capability allows the user of the SDSS to simulate changes in objects and attributes. The database component of the SDSS can supply input data for the models. After the models are run, the resulting output can be written to the database for later display via the user interface , in tabular, chart or map form. For planning purposes, this ability to dynamically change information, forecast and perform sensitivity analysis is essential. Both GIS and DSS have been widely used in natural resources management. Watkins and Mckinney (1995) presented a review on DSS in water resources; and Goodchild et al. (1996) described a comprehensive study of GIS in water resources and environmental engineering. Singh and Fiorentino (1996) gave a comprehensive review of GIS in hydrology. In summary, SDSS provide unique advantages for land and water resources management in the following aspects:

1. spatial representation, that is representing the spatial relations of the real world in a visual and analytical form; 2. comprehensive database, which is the basis for the integration of socioeconomic, environmental and physical components of the real world; and

3. modeling capability, which can integrate simulation/optimization techniques to solve complex natural resources management problems. These advantages make SDSS a proactive tool for sustainable natural resources management.In the present study, while selecting an appropriate model for developing Spatial Decision Support System . for land and water management, the following considerations were made : the ability to model at scales ranging from watershed to basin (regional) scales the ability to model water quantity and quality, silt production and crop growth the ease of use of the model and ready availability of inputs data the ability to link to Geographical Information System (GIS) the documentation and degree of support available.

Based on the above considerations, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was selected. The SWAT model is a combination of the SWRRB, GLEAMS and ROTO models and hence it is able to model both the hydrology and water quality of a watershed (Arnold et al., 1995). The model is reported to be able to operate on both a raster and sub-watershed (hydrologic response unit) basis (Arnold et al., 1995).In addition, the model is linked to GIS packages like GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) via the SWAT-GRASS interface (Srinivasan and Arnold, 1993) and ARC-View through the SWAT-ARC View interface (Diluzio et al, 1997), thus easing the task of data input and output display. The Model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) SWAT is a river basin or watershed scale model developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS). SWAT was developed to predict the impact of land management practices on water, sediment and agricultural chemical yields in large complex watersheds with varying soils, land use and management conditions over long periods of time. SWAT is a continuous time model operating on daily time step. The command structure of SWAT is presented in Fig.2. Model Components The sub-basin components of SWAT can be placed into eight major divisions--hydrology, weather, sedimentation, soil temperature, crop growth, nutrients, pesticides, and agricultural management.

1. Hydrology - Surface runoff, Percolation, Lateral Subsurface Flow, Groundwater Flow,

Evapo-transpiration, Snow melt and Transmission Losses

2. Weather - Precipitation, Air Temperature, Solar Radiation, Wind Speed and Relative
humidity.

3. Sedimentation - Sediment Yield. 4. Soil temperature - Daily average soil temperature is simulated at the center of each soil
layer for use in hydrology and residue decay.

5. Crop growth 6. Nutrients - Nitrogen and Phosphorus 7. Pesticides - Gleams technology for simulating pesticide transport by runoff, percolate, soil
evaporation and sediment was added to SWAT.

8. Agricultural Management - Tillage and residue management and Irrigation.

9. Routing component - Channel flood routing, Channel sediment routing, Channel nutrient
and pesticide routing, Reservoir Routing, Reservoir water balance and routing, Reservoir sediment routing, Reservoir nutrient and pesticides. AVSWAT (ARC View-SWAT Interface) Use of a basin scale model like SWAT needs great amount of time, expertise and cost for acquiring input data, running the model and analyzing the results. Due to the intrinsic spatialtemporal variability of watersheds, GIS technology is an essential and efficient method of collecting, storing and retrieving input data required for simulation models. GIS can elucidate landscape characteristics (e.g. topography, soil, climate, land cover and management) and effects of agricultural activities overlaying intrinsic hydrological attributes. Considering the above, a user- friendly, PC based tool, AVSWAT has been developed at the Blackland Research Center integrating SWAT and ArcView GIS version 3.0a software along with Spatial Analyst version 1.1 extension. The SWAT-ArcView interface is a tight coupling between a model and GIS (Burrough, 1995). The export of data from GIS to the SWAT model and the return of results for display are accomplished by Avenue routines that are addressed directly by the interactive tools of GIS (e.g. setting up parameter values via customized menus) and the exchange of data is fully automatic. Figure 3 shows the overview of the tight coupling between SWAT and ArcView GIS. The SWAT ArcView system consists of 3 key components: (1) preprocessor generating subbasin topographic parameters and model input parameters; (2) editing input data set and execute simulation; (3) postprocessor viewing graphical and tabular results.

System/Software Requirements Microsoft Windows 95 or NT 4.0 operating system with minimum 100 MB hard disk space. Arc View 3.0a Spatial Analyst Extension 1.1 Dialog Designer Extension 3.0a.

The Study Area In the present study, the Chhatna block of Bankura (Fig. 4) has been selected for detailed study. Chhatna lies between 23 Degrees 11 Minutes and 23 degrees 30 Minutes north latitude, and between 86 Degrees 48 Minutes and 87 Degrees 2 Minutes east longitude. Total geographical area of the block is 448.1 sq km. There are total 288 mouzas in the block. There are five main drainages or streams within the the block, from north to south they are Gandheswari,

Darakeshwar, Kansachara, Arkasa and Chagalkuta. The district though having an average rainfall of 1300 mm are considered as drought- prone , because of poor water management.

Information Need Assessment for Watershed Management In order to develop such a SDSS for watershed management , initially a workshop was organized with the official ls of the district line departments involved in watershed management activities . The objectives of such interaction were to assess the information need of the user departments in this sector and sensitise them about such tools. Apart from this, all the schemes pertinent to watershed management were also scurtinised to assess the information need for them. On such exercise, it emanated that for district-level watershed programmes basic information products expected out of such tools are: Maps of watersheds with sub-watershed within administrative boundaries. Maps showing estimates of available water or water yield from such watersheds or subwatersheds for planning of proper water management. Maps showing estimates of silt yield from such units for prioritization of watersheds or sub-watersheds for soil conservation works.

AVSWAT was implemented with the data collected from different sources to generate the above products to show its utility in watershed management programmes. Running SWAT through the Arcview- SWAT interface (AVSWAT) using Chhatna data. Using the input maps and data files as discussed in Fig.3 for the study area AVSWAT was run through the interface. Watreshed delineation was started by using the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) grid and then removing any depression.. Then drainage network was delineated with a threshold value of 100 as it was found to be optimum for defining minimum numbers of cells to start delineating a stream. After the drainage network was delineated , the Chhatna boundary theme was added to the view and overlaid on the drainage network (Fig. 5).

The outlet point for delineating each watershed was selected by adding or deleting point(s) on the main stream intersecting the block boundary. Then, sub-basins and watersheds were delineated (Fig. 6) to generate watershed map for the Chhatna block . The numbers of watersheds delineated for different sub-basins are as follows: Gandheswari - 11 Darakeshwar - 15 Kansachara - 9 Arkasa - 3 Chhagalkuta - 3 It is seen that some of the watersheds are beyond the block boundaries as they are a hydrological unit and not restricted to administrative boundary. Since land use and soil data was not available for the present study beyond the block boundary, while delineating the watersheds it was kept in mind so that each of the watersheds at least partially fall within the block boundary.

Applications developed for Watershed management in Bankura.

Water yield and silt yield maps for the watersheds in Chhatna Block Water yield is the amount of water that leaves the sub-basin and contributes to stream flow at the sub-basin outlet. it is the sum of surface runoff, lateral flow in the root zone, and ground water flow minus transmission losses in channels within the sub-basin minus any pond abstractions. Sediment yield is the sediment from a sub-basin that reaches the sub-basin outlet. This is the amount that would be measured at the sub-basin outlet (pond deposition has already been subtracted). Sediment yield is computed for each sub-basin with the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) (Williams and Berndt, 1977). Maps Generation After watershed delineation, soil and land use grid themes were overlaid and Hydrological Response Unit (HRU) were defined on the basis of homogeneity of soil and land use. Then each watershed was linked to the nearest meteorological station. Subsequently, input files required for running SWAT were generated by using AVSWAT and then SWAT was run through the interface. For each of the projects, selecting the Read results option of Simulation pull down menu, brought a tiled result window containing . bsb, . rch, output map and the project window . Theme in the output map was converted into silt yield and water yield shape files. These shape files were added in two new views named silt yield and water yield and view properties were properly set. From legend editor, Unique value legend type was selected and then WYLD and SYLD fields were selected to generate the water yield and silt yield theme for each sub-basin respectively and converted into shape files. The water yield and silt yield shape files of five different sub-basins were added in two different new views and the Chhatna block boundary was overlaid on each of them. Then layouts were made to prepare the final maps (Fig.7 and 8).

Potential Crop production map for the Gandheswari watershed in Chhatna Block . SWAT utilizes a single plant growth model to simulate all types of land covers. The model is able to differentiate between annual and perennial plants. Annual plants grow from the planting date to the harvest date or until the accumulated heat units equal the potential heat units for the plant. Perennial plants maintain their root systems throughout the year, becoming dormant after frost. They resume growth when the average daily air temperature exceeds the minimum, or base, temperature required. The plant growth model is used to assess removal of water and nutrients from the root zone, transpiration, and biomass/yield production. The potential increase in plant biomass on a given day is defined as the increase in biomass under ideal growing conditions. The potential increase in biomass for a day is a function of intercepted energy and the plant's efficiency in converting energy to biomass. Energy interception is estimated as a function of solar radiation and the plants leaf area index. The potential yield is estimated by multiplying the potential biomass production with Harvest Index i.e. Economic yield/ Biological yield. In the present study SWAT was implemented for estimating the potential production of Aman paddy, which is the main crop of the area. The Basi.. sbs file which contains HRU wise estimate of potential biomass production and crop yield for a sub-basin or watershed was converted into Basi.dbf and imported into the project It was then joined to the attribute table of the water yield map. From legend editor, Unique value legend type was selected and then the field for Total Crop production was selected to generate the crop production theme for each sub-basin respectively and converted into shape files. A map for potential production of Aman paddy for the Gandheswari sub-basin is in Fig.9. Application of the SDSS for Watershed Management. In view of the stress on district level planning in the country, watershed based planning of natural resources is becoming increasingly important activity in a district. For watershed management, the foremost application of a SDSS like AVSWAT is in digitally delineating the watersheds and sub-watersheds , at present which is entirely dependent on the experience and skill of the district officials. The initial investment in digital data generation justifies subsequent lesser investment in repeated survey for the purpose and improvement in watershed delineation. In a SDSS like AVSWAT, the SWAT model provides the capability of quantitatively simulating land and water related processes important for watershed management like potential water and silt yield . The spatial representation of the results in the form of maps provides added information to the Decision-makers. The silt yield map presents potential silt production rate from different watersheds, thus, depicts the erosion status of them and helps in prioritizing the watersheds for soil and water conservation measures. Similarly, the water yield map presents the amount of water that can be available from each watershed under different management options, thus can help in land use planning, water management planning and in deciding proper land and water

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