An approach to analysing plot scale infiltration and runoff responses to rainfall of fluctuating intensity

Dunkerley, David

doi:10.1002/hyp.10990

Cited by 28 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 57 publications

(73 reference statements)

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“…In order to further study the variation in infiltration rate with time under different rock fragment cover, we used the Horton infiltration model (Dunkerley, ; Lin, Guo, Zhang, & Liu, ) to fit the measured infiltration duration curve. This model was defined as

i ((), t) = i_{c} + ((), i_{0} - i_{c}) e^{- italickt},

in which i ( t ) is infiltration rate (mm h −1 ) at time t (s), i c is the final infiltration rate (mm h −1 ), i 0 is the initial infiltration rate (mm h −1 ), and k is the decay coefficient in dimension of time (s −1 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of rock fragment cover on hydrological processes under rainfall simulation in a semi‐arid region of China

Xin-shi

Song

et al. 2018

Hydrological Processes

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Rock fragment cover has long been an important agricultural crop production technique on the Loess Plateau, China. Although this approach plays an important role in controlling hydrological processes and preventing soil erosion, inconsistent results have been recovered in this field. In this study, we investigated the effects of rock fragment cover on infiltration, run‐off, soil erosion, and hydraulic parameters using rainfall simulation in the field in a semi‐arid region of China. Two field plots encompassing 6 rock fragment coverages (0%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, and 40%), as well as 2 rock fragment positions and sizes were exposed to rainfall at a particular intensity (60 mm h−1). The results of this study showed that increasing the rock fragment coverage with rock fragments resting on the soil surface increased infiltration but decreased run‐off generation and sediment yield. A contrasting result was found, however, when rock fragments were partially embedded into the soil surface; in this case, a positive relationship between rock fragment coverage and run‐off rate as well as a nonmonotonic relationship with respect to soil loss rate was recovered. The size of rock fragments also exerted a positive effect on run‐off generation and sediment yield but had a negative effect on infiltration. At the same time, both mean flow velocity and Froude number decreased with increasing rock fragment coverage regardless of rock fragment position and size, whereas both Manning roughness and Darcy–Weisbach friction factor were positively correlated. Results show that stream power is the most sensitive hydraulic parameter affecting soil loss. Combined with variance analysis, we concluded that the order of significance of rock fragment cover variables was position followed by coverage and then size. We also quantitatively incorporated the effects of rock fragment cover on soil loss via the C and K factors in the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation. Overall, this study will enable the development of more accurate modelling approaches and lead to a better understanding of hydrological processes under rock fragment cover conditions.

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i ((), t) = i_{c} + ((), i_{0} - i_{c}) e^{- italickt},

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of rock fragment cover on hydrological processes under rainfall simulation in a semi‐arid region of China

Xin-shi

Song

et al. 2018

Hydrological Processes

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“…For example, varying intensity rainfall simulations yield larger runoff ratios and peak runoff rates than uniform rainfall simulations (Dunkerley, 2012). Using Horton equations, predicted runoff rates were significantly improved during intra‐event time variation of fluctuating rainfall simulations (Dunkerley, 2017).…”

Section: Improving the Infiltration Process In Land Surface Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infiltration from the Pedon to Global Grid Scales: An Overview and Outlook for Land Surface Modeling

Vereecken

Weihermüller

Assouline

et al. 2019

Vadose Zone Journal

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Core Ideas Land surface models (LSMs) show a large variety in describing and upscaling infiltration. Soil structural effects on infiltration in LSMs are mostly neglected. New soil databases may help to parameterize infiltration processes in LSMs. Infiltration in soils is a key process that partitions precipitation at the land surface into surface runoff and water that enters the soil profile. We reviewed the basic principles of water infiltration in soils and we analyzed approaches commonly used in land surface models (LSMs) to quantify infiltration as well as its numerical implementation and sensitivity to model parameters. We reviewed methods to upscale infiltration from the point to the field, hillslope, and grid cell scales of LSMs. Despite the progress that has been made, upscaling of local‐scale infiltration processes to the grid scale used in LSMs is still far from being treated rigorously. We still lack a consistent theoretical framework to predict effective fluxes and parameters that control infiltration in LSMs. Our analysis shows that there is a large variety of approaches used to estimate soil hydraulic properties. Novel, highly resolved soil information at higher resolutions than the grid scale of LSMs may help in better quantifying subgrid variability of key infiltration parameters. Currently, only a few LSMs consider the impact of soil structure on soil hydraulic properties. Finally, we identified several processes not yet considered in LSMs that are known to strongly influence infiltration. Especially, the impact of soil structure on infiltration requires further research. To tackle these challenges and integrate current knowledge on soil processes affecting infiltration processes into LSMs, we advocate a stronger exchange and scientific interaction between the soil and the land surface modeling communities.

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“…Hortonian overland flow takes place once the rainfall rate surpasses the infiltration rate (Horton, 1933;Sen et al, 2008). Soil infiltrability plays a critical role in understanding the Hortonian overland flow (Dunkerley, 2017;Horton, 1933;Sen et al, 2008;Stomph, De Ridder, Steenhuis, & Van de Giesen, 2002), which is sensitive to the climatic and soil characteristics of a watershed (Sen et al, 2008). The saturation-excess overland flow is generated when an entire soil profile becomes saturated due to the rise in groundwater table or complete infiltration of precipitation (Dunne & Black, 1970).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The overland flow mechanisms mainly depend on rainfall characteristics, surface conditions, and soil infiltrability. Thus, an understanding of the interrelationship between infiltration processes and overland flow is relevant for hydrological and ecological research (Dunkerley, 2017). Many investigations focused on the influence of topography (curvature, slope, elevation, upstream contribution, and aspect) and on spatial distribution of soil moisture (Beven & Kirkby, 1979;Butcher, 1985 andFamiglietti, Rudnicki, &Rodell, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent decades, plot-scale experiments have evolved and frequently used for understanding rainfall-runoff relationship, sediment transport, impact of land cover, and management practices on runoff generation. (Anache, Wendland, Oliveira, Flanagan, & Nearing, 2017;Dunkerley, 2017;Patin et al, 2012;Sadeghi, Seghaleh, & Rangavar, 2013). Plots of sizes from 1 m 2 to several tens of m 2 have been used for the estimation of overland flow.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding plot‐scale hydrology of Lesser Himalayan watershed—A field study and HYDRUS‐2D modelling approach

Nanda

Sen

Jirwan

et al. 2018

Hydrological Processes

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Soil moisture dynamics have a significant effect on overland flow generation. Catchment aspect is one of the major controlling factors of overland flow and soil moisture behaviour. A few experimental studies have been carried out in the uneven topography of the Himalayas. This study presents plot‐scale experiments using portable rainfall simulator at an altitude of 1,230 m above mean sea level and modelling of overland flow using observed datasets. Two plots were selected in 2 different aspects of Aglar watershed of Lesser Himalaya; the agro‐forested (AF) plot was positioned at the north aspect whereas the degraded (DE) plot was located at the south aspect of the hillslope. HS flumes and rain gauges were installed to measure the runoff at the outlet of the plot and the rainfall depth during rainfall simulation experiments. Moreover, 10 soil moisture sensors were installed at upslope and downslope locations of both the plots at 5, 15, 25, 35, and 45 cm depth from ground level to capture the soil moisture dynamics. The tests were conducted at intensities of 79.8 and 75 mm/hr in AF plot and 82.2 and 72 mm/hr in the DE plot during Test 1 and Test 2, respectively. The observed data indicate the presence of reinfiltration process only in the AF plot. The high water holding capacity and the presence of reinfiltration process results in less runoff volume in the AF plot compared with the DE plot. The Hortonian overland flow mechanism was found to be the dominant overland flow mechanism as only a few layers of top soil get saturated during all of the rainfall–runoff experiments. The runoff, rainfall, and soil moisture data were subsequently used to calibrate the parameters of HYDRUS‐2D overland flow module to simulate the runoff hydrograph and soil moisture. The components of hydrograph were evaluated in terms of peak discharge, runoff volume and time of concentration, the results were found to be within the satisfactory range. The goodness of fit of simulated hydrographs were more than 0.85 and 0.95 for AF and DE plot, respectively. The model produced satisfactory simulation results of soil moisture for all of the rainfall–runoff experiments. The HYDRUS‐2D overland flow module was found promising to simulate the runoff hydrograph and soil moisture in plot‐scale research.

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An approach to analysing plot scale infiltration and runoff responses to rainfall of fluctuating intensity

Cited by 28 publications

References 57 publications

Effects of rock fragment cover on hydrological processes under rainfall simulation in a semi‐arid region of China

Effects of rock fragment cover on hydrological processes under rainfall simulation in a semi‐arid region of China

Infiltration from the Pedon to Global Grid Scales: An Overview and Outlook for Land Surface Modeling

Understanding plot‐scale hydrology of Lesser Himalayan watershed—A field study and HYDRUS‐2D modelling approach

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