Model design for the hydrology of tree belt plantations on hillslopes

When selecting or developing a model to use for research it is important that the model structure and complexity meet the objectives of the research while avoiding problems from overparameterisation. In this paper a procedure is outlined for the selection or development of a model to be used to assist in locating and designing tree belt plantations on hillslopes. Sensitivity analysis and field data interpretation are used to define the important hillslope properties and processes occurring at a field site in southern New South Wales. These are combined with the research objectives to identify the model requirements for further study on tree belt plantations. A brief review of potentially suitable models available reveals that no single model meets all of the requirements. It is concluded that field data should be used to develop a simple cascading bucket model for hillslope hydrology using a top-down approach.