INFLUENCE OF LAND USE LAND COVER CHANGE ON RUNOFF CHARACTERISTICS OF NETRAVATHI RIVER CATCHMENT, KARNATAKA, INDIA

Abstract

The effect of LU/LC on the streamflow characteristics of the Netravathi river basin, Karnataka, India, is studied using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Landsat images, soil map from FAO, ASTER DEM (30m grid) and streamflow data, forms the database for the present work. The most significant changes from 1981 to 2015, in the LU/LC includes agricultural land (31.86%), built-up area (67.9%), forest cover (-20.01%), coconut plantation (55.12%), other vegetation (-18.55%) and others (-11.82%). The verification of performance of model was carried out by the coefficient of determination values (R2 > 0.8) and N S E (NSE > 0.78) were obtained and hence proved that SWAT model performance in estimating streamflow.. The average streamflow is increased by 13.74% from 1981 to 2015, which is mainly due to dynamic changes in LU/LC. Hence, it can be concluded that changes in LU/LC have a direct impact on streamflow in the study area. © 2024, Zibeline International Publishing Sdn. Bhd.. All rights reserved.