Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient

Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient

The Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient is used to assess the predictive power of hydrological models. It is defined as:


E=1-\frac
{\sum_{t=1}^T\left(Q_o^t-Q_m^t\right)^2}
{\sum_{t=1}^T\left(Q_o^t-\overline{Q_o}\right)^2}

where Qo is observed discharge, and Qm is modeled discharge. Qot is observed discharge at time t.[1]

Nash–Sutcliffe efficiencies can range from −∞ to 1. An efficiency of 1 (E = 1) corresponds to a perfect match of modeled discharge to the observed data. An efficiency of 0 (E = 0) indicates that the model predictions are as accurate as the mean of the observed data, whereas an efficiency less than zero (E < 0) occurs when the observed mean is a better predictor than the model or, in other words, when the residual variance (described by the numerator in the expression above), is larger than the data variance (described by the denominator).

Essentially, the closer the model efficiency is to 1, the more accurate the model is.

It should be noted that Nash–Sutcliffe efficiencies can also be used to quantitatively describe the accuracy of model outputs other than discharge. This method can be used to describe the predictive accuracy of other models as long as there is observed data to compare the model results to. In other applications, the measure may be known as the coefficient of determination, or R2. For example, Nash–Sutcliffe efficiencies have been reported in scientific literature for model simulations of discharge, and water quality constituents such as sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus loadings.[2]

References

  1. ^ Nash, J. E. and J. V. Sutcliffe (1970), River flow forecasting through conceptual models part I — A discussion of principles, Journal of Hydrology, 10 (3), 282–290.
  2. ^ Moriasi, D. N.; Arnold, J. G.; Van Liew, M. W.; Bingner,R. L.; Harmel, R. D.; Veith, T. L. (2007), "Model Evaluation Guidelines for Systematic Quantification of Accuracy in Watershed Simulations", Transactions of the ASABE, 50 (3), 885–900.

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient — The Nash Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient is used to assess the predictive power of hydrological models. It is defined as:E=1 frac{sum {t=1}^Tleft(Q o^t Q m^t ight)^2}{sum {t=1}^Tleft(Q o^t overline{Q o} ight)^2}where Q o is observed… …   Wikipedia

  • Coefficient of determination — In statistics, the coefficient of determination R2 is used in the context of statistical models whose main purpose is the prediction of future outcomes on the basis of other related information. It is the proportion of variability in a data set… …   Wikipedia

  • Hydrology — Water covers 70% of the Earth s surface. Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed sustainability. A… …   Wikipedia

  • Outline of hydrology — The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to hydrology: Hydrology – study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”