Modeling the effects of land-use change on sediment yield in the upper Huaihe river basin, China

SWAT model was selected to investigate the effects of land-use change on sediment yield in the upper Huaihe river. On the basis of the simulated sediment concentration, the effects of land-use change on soil erosion modulus and rainfall-sediment yield relationship were analyzed. The results showed that under the similar rainfall, soil condition and slope, the sediment yields ascended with woodland, paddy field and farmland. The outputs could provide references for soil and water conservation and river health protection in the upper stream of Huaihe River.