From a test case to a trusted tool: Lithuania’s evolving SWAT system for water and agricultural management

Abstract

Lithuania’s development of the river modelling system (RMS) exemplifies an institutional development and application of integrated modelling for water and agricultural management. What started as a test case, continued to develop focusing on environmental compliance with the EU regulations. Currently, the RMS is a part of decision-making. By incorporating the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model and comprehensive data sources, the system facilitates in-depth analysis and policy formulation. Applications in water management plans, pollution assessments, and climate change studies demonstrate the reliability of RMS. Despite data quality and skill retention challenges, institutional commitment and collaboration ensure the RMS’s persistence. This experience emphasizes the value of sustained investment in integrated modelling systems for achieving sustainable environmental governance and signifies Lithuania’s shift towards data driven green transition practices.