Position paper: Domain knowledge-driven intelligentization of watershed modeling and scenario analysis for precise watershed management

Watershed modeling and scenario analysis based on the simulation–optimization framework, which comprehensively represents the most (if not all) of characteristics of geographical information science and geography, is crucial to support scientific decision-making for precise watershed management with increasing practical need. Meanwhile, it is still highly complex to be conducted in a way being not only scientific reasonable but also highly accessible for wide real applications with diverse users, especially those non-expert stakeholders. To narrow such a so-called “digital divide” between specialized modeling and real applications mainly with non-experts, this position paper advocates that intelligentization of watershed modeling and scenario analysis is the key. This position paper presents the state-of-the-art research landscape of intelligent methods for watershed modeling and scenario analysis, and particularly advocates that research on domain knowledge-driven intelligent methods is emerging and promising. • Watershed modeling and scenario analysis using simulation–optimization framework is crucial for precise watershed management. • The simulation–optimization framework is highly complex for real applications, especially for those non-expert stakeholders. • Intelligentization of watershed modeling and scenario analysis is key to narrow such a “digital divide”. • The state-of-the-art research landscape of intelligent methods for watershed modeling and scenario analysis is presented. • We particularly advocate the domain knowledge-driven intelligent methods.