A hierarchical optimization framework is developed to analyze spatially complex watersheds and to support spatial decision making for land management practices. A watershed is subdivided into smaller spatial units according to its hierarchy, and a three-level optimization approach determines optimal land allocations at the subarea, catchment, and 30 m cell levels. A storm water runoff simulation model is used to generate peak discharge pseudo data, under different land use patterns. The results are inputs to regression analyses, and the functional relationships between peak discharges and land use variables are estimated as quadratic functions (r2 > 0.90). These functions are used in the optimization models to allocate future land [...]
