Data quality and uncertainty issues in flood prediction: a systematic review

The twenty-first century has witnessed an increase in the frequency and severity of flood events, amplifying the consequences of data quality and uncertainty in flood prediction. This study conducts a systematic literature review to critically examine the challenges associated with the quality and u...

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Main Authors: Jinhui Yu, Yichen Li, Xiao Huang, Xinyue Ye
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-08-01
Series:International Journal of Digital Earth
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17538947.2025.2495738
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author Jinhui Yu
Yichen Li
Xiao Huang
Xinyue Ye
author_facet Jinhui Yu
Yichen Li
Xiao Huang
Xinyue Ye
author_sort Jinhui Yu
collection DOAJ
description The twenty-first century has witnessed an increase in the frequency and severity of flood events, amplifying the consequences of data quality and uncertainty in flood prediction. This study conducts a systematic literature review to critically examine the challenges associated with the quality and uncertainty of diverse data types related to flood prediction, evaluate existing mitigation strategies, and identify future research directions. The findings reveal that flood prediction relies on various data types, including hydrological data, rainfall patterns, infrastructure characteristics, and topographical information. These datasets often suffer from issues such as incompleteness, inconsistency, and accuracy deficits, further complicated by uncertainties arising from complex spatial features and environmental changes. The literature proposes a range of solutions, including the development of innovative methodologies, model construction, and comparative analysis, to address these challenges. Future research should place greater emphasis on underdeveloped regions, fostering more literature-based studies, exploring the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and the integration of other emerging technologies to better address data challenges, and developing novel data sources, such as real-time dynamic data and integrated datasets. This review offers critical insights into the development and practical application of flood prediction data while charting a course for future research in the field.
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spelling doaj-art-6cb3efec0f354058b4839937bcc62be52025-08-25T11:24:52ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Digital Earth1753-89471753-89552025-08-0118110.1080/17538947.2025.2495738Data quality and uncertainty issues in flood prediction: a systematic reviewJinhui Yu0Yichen Li1Xiao Huang2Xinyue Ye3College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCollege of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USADepartment of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USAThe twenty-first century has witnessed an increase in the frequency and severity of flood events, amplifying the consequences of data quality and uncertainty in flood prediction. This study conducts a systematic literature review to critically examine the challenges associated with the quality and uncertainty of diverse data types related to flood prediction, evaluate existing mitigation strategies, and identify future research directions. The findings reveal that flood prediction relies on various data types, including hydrological data, rainfall patterns, infrastructure characteristics, and topographical information. These datasets often suffer from issues such as incompleteness, inconsistency, and accuracy deficits, further complicated by uncertainties arising from complex spatial features and environmental changes. The literature proposes a range of solutions, including the development of innovative methodologies, model construction, and comparative analysis, to address these challenges. Future research should place greater emphasis on underdeveloped regions, fostering more literature-based studies, exploring the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and the integration of other emerging technologies to better address data challenges, and developing novel data sources, such as real-time dynamic data and integrated datasets. This review offers critical insights into the development and practical application of flood prediction data while charting a course for future research in the field.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17538947.2025.2495738Data qualitydata uncertaintyflood predictionflood modellingsystematic review
spellingShingle Jinhui Yu
Yichen Li
Xiao Huang
Xinyue Ye
Data quality and uncertainty issues in flood prediction: a systematic review
International Journal of Digital Earth
Data quality
data uncertainty
flood prediction
flood modelling
systematic review
title Data quality and uncertainty issues in flood prediction: a systematic review
title_full Data quality and uncertainty issues in flood prediction: a systematic review
title_fullStr Data quality and uncertainty issues in flood prediction: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Data quality and uncertainty issues in flood prediction: a systematic review
title_short Data quality and uncertainty issues in flood prediction: a systematic review
title_sort data quality and uncertainty issues in flood prediction a systematic review
topic Data quality
data uncertainty
flood prediction
flood modelling
systematic review
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17538947.2025.2495738
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AT yichenli dataqualityanduncertaintyissuesinfloodpredictionasystematicreview
AT xiaohuang dataqualityanduncertaintyissuesinfloodpredictionasystematicreview
AT xinyueye dataqualityanduncertaintyissuesinfloodpredictionasystematicreview