Multi-model approach in a variable spatial framework for streamflow simulation
<p>Accounting for the variability of hydrological processes and climate conditions between catchments and within catchments remains a challenge in rainfall–runoff modelling. Among the many approaches developed over the past decades, multi-model approaches provide a way to consider the uncertai...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
| Online Access: | https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/28/1539/2024/hess-28-1539-2024.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797222545314807808 |
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| author | C. Thébault C. Perrin V. Andréassian G. Thirel S. Legrand O. Delaigue |
| author_facet | C. Thébault C. Perrin V. Andréassian G. Thirel S. Legrand O. Delaigue |
| author_sort | C. Thébault |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Accounting for the variability of hydrological processes and climate conditions between catchments and within catchments remains a challenge in rainfall–runoff modelling. Among the many approaches developed over the past decades, multi-model approaches provide a way to consider the uncertainty linked to the choice of model structure and its parameter estimates. Semi-distributed approaches make it possible to account explicitly for spatial variability while maintaining a limited level of complexity. However, these two approaches have rarely been used together. Such a combination would allow us to take advantage of both methods. The aim of this work is to answer the following question: what is the possible contribution of a multi-model approach within a variable spatial framework compared to lumped single models for streamflow simulation?</p>
<p>To this end, a set of 121 catchments with limited anthropogenic influence in France was assembled, with precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, and streamflow data at the hourly time step over the period 1998–2018. The semi-distribution set-up was kept simple by considering a single downstream catchment defined by an outlet and one or more upstream sub-catchments. The multi-model approach was implemented with 13 rainfall–runoff model structures, three objective functions, and two spatial frameworks, for a total of 78 distinct modelling options. A simple averaging method was used to combine the various simulated streamflow at the outlet of the catchments and sub-catchments. The lumped model with the highest efficiency score over the whole catchment set was taken as the benchmark for model evaluation.</p>
<p>Overall, the semi-distributed multi-model approach yields better performance than the different lumped models considered individually. The gain is mainly brought about by the multi-model set-up, with the spatial framework providing a benefit on a more occasional basis. These results, based on a large catchment set, evince the benefits of using a multi-model approach in a variable spatial framework to simulate streamflow.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T13:23:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e18e31b8eaa3420fae430b71717489de |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1027-5606 1607-7938 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T13:23:02Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-e18e31b8eaa3420fae430b71717489de2024-04-04T11:29:26ZengCopernicus PublicationsHydrology and Earth System Sciences1027-56061607-79382024-04-01281539156610.5194/hess-28-1539-2024Multi-model approach in a variable spatial framework for streamflow simulationC. Thébault0C. Perrin1V. Andréassian2G. Thirel3S. Legrand4O. Delaigue5HYCAR, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, Antony, FranceHYCAR, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, Antony, FranceHYCAR, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, Antony, FranceHYCAR, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, Antony, FranceCompagnie nationale du Rhône, Lyon, FranceHYCAR, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, Antony, France<p>Accounting for the variability of hydrological processes and climate conditions between catchments and within catchments remains a challenge in rainfall–runoff modelling. Among the many approaches developed over the past decades, multi-model approaches provide a way to consider the uncertainty linked to the choice of model structure and its parameter estimates. Semi-distributed approaches make it possible to account explicitly for spatial variability while maintaining a limited level of complexity. However, these two approaches have rarely been used together. Such a combination would allow us to take advantage of both methods. The aim of this work is to answer the following question: what is the possible contribution of a multi-model approach within a variable spatial framework compared to lumped single models for streamflow simulation?</p> <p>To this end, a set of 121 catchments with limited anthropogenic influence in France was assembled, with precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, and streamflow data at the hourly time step over the period 1998–2018. The semi-distribution set-up was kept simple by considering a single downstream catchment defined by an outlet and one or more upstream sub-catchments. The multi-model approach was implemented with 13 rainfall–runoff model structures, three objective functions, and two spatial frameworks, for a total of 78 distinct modelling options. A simple averaging method was used to combine the various simulated streamflow at the outlet of the catchments and sub-catchments. The lumped model with the highest efficiency score over the whole catchment set was taken as the benchmark for model evaluation.</p> <p>Overall, the semi-distributed multi-model approach yields better performance than the different lumped models considered individually. The gain is mainly brought about by the multi-model set-up, with the spatial framework providing a benefit on a more occasional basis. These results, based on a large catchment set, evince the benefits of using a multi-model approach in a variable spatial framework to simulate streamflow.</p>https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/28/1539/2024/hess-28-1539-2024.pdf |
| spellingShingle | C. Thébault C. Perrin V. Andréassian G. Thirel S. Legrand O. Delaigue Multi-model approach in a variable spatial framework for streamflow simulation Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
| title | Multi-model approach in a variable spatial framework for streamflow simulation |
| title_full | Multi-model approach in a variable spatial framework for streamflow simulation |
| title_fullStr | Multi-model approach in a variable spatial framework for streamflow simulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-model approach in a variable spatial framework for streamflow simulation |
| title_short | Multi-model approach in a variable spatial framework for streamflow simulation |
| title_sort | multi model approach in a variable spatial framework for streamflow simulation |
| url | https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/28/1539/2024/hess-28-1539-2024.pdf |
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