What the study found
The review found that medium-sized basins are the most common setting for SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool, a watershed modeling tool) applications in developing countries. It also reports that urbanization has significant effects on both water quantity and water quality, and that most studies using SWAT produced satisfactory to very good model performance.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the review provides useful insights for effective water resource management in agricultural watersheds. They also conclude that it is the first cross-climatic synthesis of SWAT applications in developing countries, linking basin scale, climate regime, model reliability, and BMP effectiveness.
What the researchers tested
The researchers compiled 143 studies published between 2017 and 2025 using the PRISMA research protocol, and they used the PICO method to organize the data collection. They examined SWAT model performance, watershed characteristics, and the effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs, practices used to reduce watershed impacts and protect water resources).
What worked and what didn't
Medium-sized basins, defined as 10,001–100,000 km², accounted for about 33% of the studies, more than other basin-size categories. The review reports a strong correlation between land use/land cover (LULC, how land is used and covered) and hydrological changes, with R² = 0.923, and says most studies had R² and NSE (Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency, a model fit measure) greater than 0.5. It also identifies series BMPs combining structural and management measures as important for watershed protection and sustainable agricultural practice.
What to keep in mind
The abstract describes narrative-driven regional analyses with limited statistical integration, so the review is based on the available studies rather than new field measurements. It also notes future research needs in SWAT data collection, calibration methods, climate change projections, extreme-event scenarios, and long-term analysis linked to sustainable agriculture planning.
Key points
- The review compiled 143 SWAT studies from 2017 to 2025 in developing countries.
- Medium-sized basins (10,001–100,000 km²) made up about 33% of the studies.
- Urbanization was reported to significantly affect both water quantity and water quality.
- Most studies reported satisfactory to very good SWAT performance, with R² and NSE above 0.5.
- The review identifies combined structural and management BMPs as important for watershed protection.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- SWAT review links land use, climate, and watershed outcomes
- Authors:
- Rucira Siewlan Neoh, Khairul Nizam Abdul Maulud, Syed Ahmad Fadhli Syed Abdul Rahman, Wei Lun Ang, Noraishah Abdul Harris, Biswajeet Pradhan
- Institutions:
- National University of Malaysia, Geospatial Research (United Kingdom)
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-25
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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