Spatial prediction in hydrology: status and implications in the estimation of hydrological processes for applied research

Abstract

Based on a review of research, the linkages between distributed hydrological modelling (DHM) remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) techniques, coupled with geomorphological knowledge are discussed. While presenting characteristics of the models, techniques, and supporting analytical tools of geographical hydrology, the emphasis is on the estimation of hydrological variables. The first is limited to the spatialization and integration of low resolution meteorological data with hydrological models in a GIS environment. The second includes research in the calculation of precipitation, evapotranspiration, radiation, etc., from the digital analyses of remote sensing data, to feed either lumped or spatially distributed models. The third links the tools of GIS and RS with hydrological modelling; usually it makes intensive use of the tools of GIS for several scales of spatial modelling. The last group integrates GIS, RS and hydrological modelling supported by the delimitation and characterization of environmental units, generally to detailed and semi-detailed scales.