Review of soil and water assessment tool studies on erosion and sedimentation in Sulawesi

Abstract

Although the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) is frequently used in hydrological research to assess sedimentation and erosion, its use throughout Sulawesi has not yet been synthesized. With an emphasis on identifying research trends, methodological practices, and knowledge gaps, this study attempted to review and compile previous SWAT-based studies conducted in Sulawesi watersheds. A review was utilized journal articles, conference proceedings, and university repositories published between 2010 and 2024. Research sites, goals, input data, calibration and validation procedures, as well as published results were all included in the scope. This synthesis places more emphasis on methodological gaps and patterns than on comprehensive coverage. Twenty-two studies in all were found. While central, west, and southeast Sulawesi continue to be underrepresented, south Sulawesi accounted for more than half. Land cover change, conservation tactics, the availability of water resources, micro-hydro potential, and flood risk assessment were the primary research topics. However, scenario development was frequently lacking, and only 55% of studies reported calibration and validation using numerical metrics (e.g., NSE, R2, PBIAS). Few studies included socioeconomic factors, which diminished the applicability of the model’s outputs for policy. This is the first review that the authors are aware of, focusing exclusively on Sulawesi.