Author/Authors :
Celine، G. نويسنده Scientist, CWRDM Sub Centre, Manimalakunnu, Oliyappuram P. O., Koothattukulam – 686 662, Kerala, India , , James، E. J. نويسنده Distinguished Professor, Karunya University, Coimbatore – 641 114, Tamilnadu, India ,
Abstract :
The impacts of land cover change on the hydrologic cycle from local to regional scales are not
fully understood with regard to humid tropical river basins of Kerala, India. This study provides an approach to
identify the effects of land cover changes on streamflowof a river basin in the humid tropical zone of Kerala,
India using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT).The SWAT model was calibrated and validated for two
river gauging stations for a period of 18 years (1987 – 2004).The model performed well for predicting the
streamflow in Meenachil river basin under changing landcover conditions. The study carried for temporal variation
of the surface runoff and evapotranspiration showed that more water is lost by evapotranspiration from the
rubber plantation than that from the mixed crop cultivated landscapes. This supports the popular saying of the
local people that rubber plantations act as “water pumps”.
