The impact of overgrazing on water fluxes in a semi-arid watershed - The suitability of watershed scale modeling in a data scarce area

Study region: South Africa. Study focus: This study focuses on the impact of overgrazing on the water resources in a semi-arid catchment in South Africa. We have applied the SWAT+ model to a data-scarce area. During the modeling process, hydropedological principles were applied in model parameterization and analysis of simulation results to identify areas which are sensitive to overgrazing. The scenario analysis indicates that overgrazing might not necessarily have a large impact on the water balance of the whole watershed, but may have negative impacts at the local subbasin scale. These impacts are increased surface runoff and evaporation which are the consequence of compaction of topsoils. New hydrological insights for the region: The application of hydropedological principles in the analysis of simulation results help to identify areas sensitive to overgrazing. Shallow soils, soils with low surface infiltration capacities and hydromorphic soils are vulnerable to adverse effects from overgrazing.

Automated summary

This study investigates the impact of overgrazing on water resources in a semi-arid catchment in South Africa using the SWAT+ model. The findings suggest that overgrazing may have negative effects on the local subbasin scale, resulting in increased surface runoff and evaporation. Additionally, the study identifies shallow soils, soils with low surface infiltration capacities, and hydromorphic soils as vulnerable to adverse effects from overgrazing.