ARS | Publication request: Simulation of Management Effect on Runoff and Sediment Transport in Riparian Forest Buffers by APEX Model

Submitted to: Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE)
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 20, 2008
Publication Date: June 29, 2008
Citation: Saleh, A., Bosch, D.D., Schilling, E., Gallego, O. 2008. Simulation of Management Effect on Runoff and Sediment Transport in Riparian Forest Buffers by APEX Model. Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE).

Technical Abstract: Hydrologic/water quality models are increasingly used to explore management and policy alternatives for managing water quality and quantity from intensive silvicultural practices with Best Management Practices (BMPs) in forested watersheds due to the limited number of studies and the cost of conducting watershed monitoring. Recently, the Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model was modified for forestry and field-tested using data collected from Alto and Dry creek watersheds in Texas and Georgia respectively. The modified APEX has shown to replicate the effects of silvicultural practices on water quantity and quality and that the model is a useful tool for simulating a variety of responses to forest conditions. In this study, the APEX model will be tested to simulate the effect of forest management within a Coastal Plain riparian forest buffer system on runoff and sediment transport using four years of measured data from Gibbs watershed in Central Georgia. The RFBS included a narrow strip of undisturbed forest located next to the stream drainage system, a wide managed pine forest, a narrow grass filter strip immediately downstream from an agricultural land. The comparison of simulated results and measured data will be presented.