Survey on the resolution and accuracy of input data validity for SWAT-based hydrological models

This review was conducted to highlight the most influential factors and specify the trends reducing uncertainty and increasing the accuracy of soil and water assessment tool (SWAT)-based hydrological models. Although the resolution of input data on the results of SWAT-based hydrological models has been extensively determined. There is still a gap in providing comprehensive review framework to be emerged for identifying the impact of the data resolution and accuracy. The factors taken into consideration in this study were the impact of digital elevation model (DEM) resolution, soil data resolution, land use and land cover (LULC) resolution, and the impact of weather data resolution. Identifying the best DEM resolution depends on the watershed response and hydrological processes. However, for sediment yield estimation, more attention should be paid to the accuracy of soil data. Furthermore, the impact of LULC resolution on the accuracy of streamflow is still not sufficiently understood, whereas fine resolution is required for an accurate simulation of the sediment yield. Sub-daily precipitation data is essential for an accurate estimation of streamflow. Despite the fact that climate forecast system reanalysis (CFSR) and tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM) are the most widely used climate products, climate hazards group infrared precipitation with station data (CHIRPS) produces an adequate estimation for streamflow when there is insufficient gauged data. However, other aspects have not been deeply taken into consideration, including the interactive and complementary impacts of these factors. Thus, more attention and focus should be given to these issues. This review and evaluation can be a significant guide for selecting the suitable input data to implement efficient SWAT-based watershed models.