Keywords
biophysical modelling, biosym, dflow, ensym, groundwater modelling, recharge
Start Date
1-7-2010 12:00 AM
Abstract
This paper describes an application of EnSym (Environmental Systems Modelling Platform)to assess the impacts of climate change on the groundwater levels in Victoria. EnSym isa modular and user-friendly software platform to facilitate the use of environmental modellingtools. It enables easy and rapid evaluation of environmental outcomes due to changes in landmanagement and climatic conditions. It contains a number of toolboxes that deal with differentaspects of the environment including land based biophysical process, groundwater dynamics,spatial and contextual connectivity, and finally, a set of tools for systematic spatial and temporalreporting. In this paper, we apply the biophysical modelling (BioSym) toolbox of EnSym to estimatethe amount of recharge to the Victorian groundwater system for specified land use scenarios.The groundwater recharge obtained from BioSym forms the transient inflow to the groundwatersystem. The modular three dimensional finite difference ground water flow model (MODFLOW)is used to simulate the response of the groundwater system to the transient recharge.We report results of simulating climate change (with a focus on lower rainfall) and its impact ongroundwater levels and storage over time. The results can be used as a catchment planning tool,a research tool or to aid cost-effective decision making when planning for future water resourceuse.
The Environmental Systems Modelling Platform (EnSym) to Assess Effects of Land Use Changes on Groundwater Recharge
This paper describes an application of EnSym (Environmental Systems Modelling Platform)to assess the impacts of climate change on the groundwater levels in Victoria. EnSym isa modular and user-friendly software platform to facilitate the use of environmental modellingtools. It enables easy and rapid evaluation of environmental outcomes due to changes in landmanagement and climatic conditions. It contains a number of toolboxes that deal with differentaspects of the environment including land based biophysical process, groundwater dynamics,spatial and contextual connectivity, and finally, a set of tools for systematic spatial and temporalreporting. In this paper, we apply the biophysical modelling (BioSym) toolbox of EnSym to estimatethe amount of recharge to the Victorian groundwater system for specified land use scenarios.The groundwater recharge obtained from BioSym forms the transient inflow to the groundwatersystem. The modular three dimensional finite difference ground water flow model (MODFLOW)is used to simulate the response of the groundwater system to the transient recharge.We report results of simulating climate change (with a focus on lower rainfall) and its impact ongroundwater levels and storage over time. The results can be used as a catchment planning tool,a research tool or to aid cost-effective decision making when planning for future water resourceuse.
