Hydrologic Connectivity and Patch‐To‐Hillslope Scale Relations in Dryland Ecosystems

Crompton, O.; Katul, G.; Lapides, D.; Thompson, S.

doi:10.1029/2022GL101801

Title: Hydrologic Connectivity and Patch‐To‐Hillslope Scale Relations in Dryland Ecosystems

Journal Article · 23 May 2023 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL101801 · OSTI ID:1975157

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Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory USDA‐ARS Beltsville MD USA, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Duke University Durham NC USA
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Duke University Durham NC USA
Pacific Southwest Research Station USDA Forest Service Burnaby BC Canada, Simon Fraser University Burnaby BC Canada
University of Western Australia Perth WA Australia

Abstract In drylands, runoff during storms redistributes water and nutrients from bare soil areas to vegetated patches, subsidizing vegetation with additional resources. The extent of this redistribution depends on the interplay between surface roughness and permeability; greater permeability in vegetated patches promotes run‐on to vegetation, but greater surface roughness diverts runoff, producing tortuous flow paths that bypass vegetation. Here, this interplay is examined in virtual experiments using the 2D Saint Venant Equations to measure runoff connectivity. Flowpaths are delineated using tracers advected by the flow. Distances between tracer sources and sinks along flowpaths measure hydrologic connectivity at two lengthscales: connectivity to the hillslope outlet and within‐slope source‐sink connectivity. Differences between these connectivity lengthscales indicate how flow may “by‐pass” vegetated patches within hillslopes. At the hillslope scale, a derived power‐law relation between the runoff coefficient and outlet connectivity describes hillslope water losses, providing a foundation for identifying landscapes likely to shed water.

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Research Organization:: Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0022072

OSTI ID:: 1975157

Journal Information:: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 50; ISSN 0094-8276

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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