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The aim of the present work was to evaluate the possibilities of using sub-basin data for calibration of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in a small (46 ha) ungauged basin (i.e. where the water flow is not systematically measured) and its response. This small basin was located in the viticultural Anoia-Penedès region (North-east Spain), which suffers severe soil erosion. The data sources were: daily weather data from an observatory located close to the basin; a detailed soil map of Catalonia; a 5-m resolution digital elevation model (DEM); a crop/land use map derived from orthophotos taken in 2010 and an additional detailed soil survey (40 points) within the basin, which included properties such as texture, soil organic carbon, electrical conductivity, bulk density and water retention capacity at −33 and −1500 kPa. A sensitivity analysis was performed to identify and rank the sensitive parameters that affect the hydrological response and sediment yield to changes of model input parameters. A 1-year calibration and 1-year validation were carried out on the basis of soil moisture measured at 0·20-m intervals from depths of 0·10 to 0·90 m in two selected sub-basins, and data related to estimations of runoff and sediment concentrations in runoff collected in the same sub-basins. The present paper shows a methodological approach for calibrating SWAT in small ungauged basins using soil water content measurements and runoff samples collected within the basin. The SWAT satisfactorily predicted the average soil water content, runoff and soil loss for moderate intensity events recorded during the study periods. However, it was not satisfactory for high-intensity events which would require exploring the possibilities of using sub-daily information as an input model parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Cuadernos de Investigación Geográfica is the property of Universidad de la Rioja, Servicio de Publicaciones and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses a study which examined the spatial variability of runoff and erosion rates in vineyards of Northeastern Spain. The study examined plots with high disturbance (HD) and low disturbance (LD) of the soil profile and evaluated whether soil surface properties were conditioning runoff and erosion rates. It discusses soil and rainfall characteristics as well as runoff differences in the HD and LD plots and differences in sediment concentration.

The article presents a study on the agricultural trajectories and farming systems in the Priorat region in Spain. In the Priorat region, as well as in the other mountain regions of Mediterranean European countries, the intensification of crops is said to be based on either land leveling or terracing, and the abandonment of usual land use management practices. One of the objectives of the study is to relate the coexisting farming systems in Priorat to the landscape impacts they involve. The researchers combined multivariate statistical techniques to understand the heterogeneity of farming systems on a local scale.