Model Library

DYnamic REservoir Simulation Model-Computational Aquatic Ecosystem DYnamics Model (DYRESM-CAEDYM)

Model name: DYnamic REservoir Simulation Model-Computational Aquatic Ecosystem DYnamics Model (DYRESM-CAEDYM)

Developed by: Centre for Water Research (CWR), University of Western Australia (Last update: 2022)

Model type: 1D, process-based, coupled hydrodynamic–ecological, lake model

Computational requirements: Windows

Software requirements: GIS: optional;

Link to download model

Capabilities and Limitations:

Capabilities

  • It has a modular design;
  • It is flexible and can comprehensively simulate processes of cycles, sediment, and water quality in lakes (Trolle et al., 2008);
  • An R package, dycdtools, a modular, flexible, suitable for all expertise levels, and open-source tool, was designed to assist with easier calibration and result visualization (Yu et al., 2022).

Limitations

  • This model is possibly among the most complex 1D lake ecosystem models (Trolle et al., 2008);
  • It excludes explicit fish predation on zooplankton (Trolle et al., 2008);
  • It's accuracy decreases with higher trophic levels (Trolle et al., 2008);
  • Horizontal heterogeneity (Gong et al., 2023);
  • It is a 1D model that has challenges in capturing spatial heterogeneity of water quality, phytoplankton, and zooplankton (Gong et al., 2023).  

Model Inputs and Outputs:

Inputs

Topography data, Meteorological data, Hydrological data, Boundary conditions, Water quality data.

Outputs

  • The model simulates the distribution of temperature, salinity, and density, along with the dynamic processes of the lake’s carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles, inorganic suspended particles, and algal growth.
  • It also allows for prediction of overall water quality changes.

Examples:

Reference

Gong, F., Luo, L., Li, H., Chen, L., Zhang, R., Wu, G., Zhang, J., Shi, W., Zhang, F., Zhang, H., et al. (2023). Quantitative assessment of water quality improvement by reducing external loadings at Lake Erhai, Southwest China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20, 5038. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065038

Objective

The objective of the present study was to quantitatively evaluate the improvement of water quality at Lake Erhai, under different reduction rates of external loading.