Large Sample Basin Experiments for Hydrological Model Parameterization: Results of the Model Parameter Experiment–MOPEX. IAHS Publ. 307, 2006, 339–346.
The Model Parameter Estimation Experiment (MOPEX):
its structure, connection to other international initiatives and future
directions
THORSTEN WAGENER1, TERRI HOGUE2, JOHN
SCHAAKE3, QINGYUN DUAN4, HOSHIN GUPTA5, VAZKEN ANDREASSIAN6, ALAN HALL7 & GEORGE
LEAVESLEY8
1 Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
thorsten@engr.psu.edu
2 Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
3 Office of Hydrologic Development, NOAA/National Weather Service, 1325 East–West Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA
4 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Energy and Environment Directorate, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, California 94550, USA
5 Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
6 Groupe Hydrologie, Cemagref, Antony,
France
7 Water Resources Application Project/GEWEX, Cooma, Australia
8 US Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, USA
Abstract The Model Parameter Estimation Experiment (MOPEX) is an international project aimed at developing enhanced techniques for the a priori estimation of parameters in hydrological models and in land surface parameterization schemes connected to atmospheric models. The MOPEX science strategy involves: database creation, a priori parameter estimation methodology development, parameter refinement or calibration, and the demonstration of parameter transferability. A comprehensive MOPEX database has been developed that contains historical hydrometeorological data and land surface characteristics data for many hydrological basins in the United States (US) and in other countries. This database is being continuously expanded to include basins from various hydroclimatic regimes throughout the world. MOPEX research has largely been driven by a series of international workshops that have brought interested hydrologists and land surface modellers together to exchange knowledge and experience in developing and applying parameter estimation techniques. With its focus on parameter estimation, MOPEX plays an important role in the international context of other initiatives such as GEWEX, HEPEX, PUB and PILPS. This paper outlines the MOPEX initiative, discusses its role in the scientific community, and briefly states future directions.
Key words a priori; calibration; hydrological models;
parameters; regionalization; transferability; uncertainty