GEOG3987: CATCHMENT MODELLING

• Any Level 2 GEOG module

• None

• None

• This module aims to provide students with knowledge of how environmental simulation models can be applied to understand catchment systems, the associated hazards and management problems. The module will focus on a case study catchment and the role of environmental drivers, pathways and feedbacks, considering a range of catchment-derived ecosystem services, such as water resources, but with a particular emphasis on flood hazard regulation. The catchment hydrological response to rainfall events will be investigated with a catchment hydrology simulation model and the impact of floods on an urban area will be considered with a hydraulic inundation model. The module is structured so that the water pathways are modelled from the initial precipitation on the catchment through the fluvial system and onto the flood plain during storm events. The module investigates how the projections of climate change will affect the catchment hydrological dynamics and how the flood hazards may change in the future. The module will consider how integrated catchment modelling can be used to inform catchment management for flood hazard reduction.

• The module will be divided into three blocks:
• 1. Introduction. Ecosystem Services from catchment systems and available management tools. How environmental simulation models can be used as a predictive tool for understanding catchment hydrological processes.
• 2. Catchment Modelling. Simulating the transformation of precipitation to streamflow in lumped hydrological models. Investigation of climate change impacts on hydrological processes, such as river flow.
• 3. Flood Modelling. Simulating the inundation of floodplains and the estimation of economic damages from flood events. Investigation of how the changes in river flow may affect the magnitude and frequency of flood events.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Understanding of the primary drivers of flood risk and the interactions between elements of the flood risk system.
• Understanding of the basics of the hydrological and hydraulic sciences required as inputs to flood risk analysis and the associated tools used in those sciences.
• Explain the basic theory and method behind environmental simulation modelling.
• Assess the validity and uncertainty of model predictions.
• How integrated catchment modelling can be used to inform catchment management planning for flood hazard reduction.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Ability to model hydrological and hydraulic problems, including awareness of data issues, calibration and validation.
• Critically assess scientific approaches in catchment management procedure.

Key Skills:

• Perform simple model simulations and analysis of the quantitative results.
• Evaluation of model uncertainty.
• Present logical written arguments.
• Presentation skills

• This will be a lecture-based course with linked computer-based practical sessions and a presentation-based seminar.
• Lectures will enable students to gain subject-specific knowledge and understand approaches to studying catchment science.
• The computer practical sessions will enable hands-on experience in applying environmental simulation models
• Presentations will allow students to integrate different parts of the module within a management context and allow for formative feedback.
• The summative assessment (report write-up) will test subject-specific knowledge and skills

Formative assessment will be provided through the online forum, verbal discussions during the computer-based practical sessions, the drop-in sessions and through a group presentation of work in the seminar. The presentations will enable the students to demonstrate their understanding of the module content, gain experience in the explanation of modelling results. Each student group will receive verbal formative feedback on their presentation.

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