Simulation of effects of land-use changes on runoff and evapotranspiration

Simulations using the conceptual water balance model, Sacramento, and the physically-based model, BROOK90, have been carried out with the goal of ascertaining how water balances could be affected under diverse climatic and geomorphological conditions by land-use change and/or air-temperature increase. The results from several experimental hilly basins in central Europe were available for this purpose. Some comparisons have also been made using recently accomplished simulations for a Himalayan basin in Nepal. Preference in the discussion is given to the role of two water-cycle constituents: snow deposits and evapotranspiration.