TY - JOUR
T1 - The evolution of process-based hydrologic models
T2 - historical challenges and the collective quest for physical realism
AU - Clark, Martyn P.
AU - Bierkens, Marc
AU - Samaniego, Luis
AU - Woods, Ross
AU - Uijlenhoet, Remko
AU - Bennet, Katrina E.
AU - Pauwels, Valentijn R. N.
AU - Cai, Xitian
AU - Wood, Andrew W.
AU - Peters-Lidard, Christa
PY - 2017/7
Y1 - 2017/7
N2 - The diversity in hydrologic models has historically led to great controversy on the “correct” approach to process-based hydrologic modeling, with debates centered on the adequacy of process parameterizations, data limitations and uncertainty, and computational constraints on model analysis. In this paper we revisit key modeling challenges, outlined by Freeze and Harlan nearly 50 years ago, on requirements to (1) define suitable model equations, (2) define adequate model parameters, and (3) cope with limitations in computing power. We outline the historical modeling challenges, summarize modeling advances that address these challenges, and define outstanding research needs. We illustrate how modeling advances have been made by groups using models of different type and complexity, and we argue for the need to more effectively use our diversity of modeling approaches in order to advance our collective quest for physically realistic hydrologic models.
AB - The diversity in hydrologic models has historically led to great controversy on the “correct” approach to process-based hydrologic modeling, with debates centered on the adequacy of process parameterizations, data limitations and uncertainty, and computational constraints on model analysis. In this paper we revisit key modeling challenges, outlined by Freeze and Harlan nearly 50 years ago, on requirements to (1) define suitable model equations, (2) define adequate model parameters, and (3) cope with limitations in computing power. We outline the historical modeling challenges, summarize modeling advances that address these challenges, and define outstanding research needs. We illustrate how modeling advances have been made by groups using models of different type and complexity, and we argue for the need to more effectively use our diversity of modeling approaches in order to advance our collective quest for physically realistic hydrologic models.
U2 - 10.5194/hess-2016-693
DO - 10.5194/hess-2016-693
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
VL - 21
SP - 3427
EP - 3440
JO - Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
JF - Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
SN - 1027-5606
IS - 7
ER -