Publikationsdatum:
2012-05-01
Beschreibung:
This review and commentary sets out the need for authoritative and concise information on the expected error distributions and magnitudes in observational data. We discuss the necessary components of a benchmark of dominant data uncertainties, and the recent developments in hydrology which increase the need for such guidance. We initiate the creation of a catalogue of accessible information on characteristics of data uncertainty for the key hydrological variables of rainfall, river discharge and water quality (suspended solids, phosphorus, nitrogen). This includes demonstration of how uncertainties can be quantified, summarising current knowledge and the standard quantitative results available. In particular, synthesis of results from multiple studies allows conclusions to be drawn on factors which control the magnitude of data uncertainty, and hence improves provision of prior guidance on those uncertainties. Rainfall uncertainties were found to be driven by spatial scale, while river discharge uncertainty was dominated by flow condition and gauging method. Water quality variables presented a more complex picture with many component errors. For all variables it was easy to find examples where relative error magnitudes exceeded 40%. We consider how data uncertainties impact on the interpretation of catchment dynamics, model regionalisation and model evaluation. In closing the review, we make recommendations for future research priorities in quantifying data uncertainty, and highlight the need for an improved ‘culture of engagement’ with observational uncertainties. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Print ISSN:
0885-6087
Digitale ISSN:
1099-1085
Thema:
Architektur, Bauingenieurwesen, Vermessung
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Geographie
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