Overland flow directs soil moisture and ecosystem processes at patch scale in Mediterranean restored hillslopes

Merino‐Martín, Luis; Heras, Mariano Moreno de las; Espigares, Tíscar; Nicolau, J. M.

doi:10.1016/j.catena.2015.05.002

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Saturation-excess runoff may also occur in Mediterranean dry hillslopes, particularly on soils previously wetted by antecedent rainfall, inducing saturation of the top layer of the soil profile with moderate-intensity precipitation (Martínez-Mena et al, 1998;Puigdefabregas et al, 1999;Calvo-Cases et al, 2003;Castillo et al, 2003). The poor soil development conditions that characterize our reclaimed study sites may facilitate these two runoff generation mechanisms (Nicolau and Asensio, 2000;Moreno-de-las-Heras, 2009). Whilst rapid formation of surface crusts in barely covered patches of these reclaimed soils can largely facilitate the formation of infiltration-excess runoff, the massive structure of the soils, particularly in intermediate to deep layers showing moderate-to low-vegetation root activity, can also facilitate the formation of runoff from the temporary saturation of the top (5-20 cm) soil layer (Nicolau, 2002;Moreno-de-las-Heras et al, 2011a).…”

Section: Functional Connectivity: Formation Of Connected Runoff and Smentioning

confidence: 88%

Structural and functional control of surface-patch to hillslope runoff and sediment connectivity in Mediterranean dry reclaimed slope systems

Heras

Merino‐Martín²,

Saco³

et al. 2020

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Connectivity has emerged as a useful concept for exploring the movement of water and sediments between landscape locations and across spatial scales. In this study, we examine the structural and functional controls of surface-patch to hillslope runoff and sediment connectivity in three Mediterranean dry reclaimed mining slope systems that have different long-term development levels of vegetation and rill networks. Structural connectivity was assessed using flow path analysis of coupled vegetation distribution and surface topography, providing field indicators of the extent to which surface patches that facilitate runoff and sediment production are physically linked to one another in the studied hillslopes. Functional connectivity was calculated using the ratio of patch-scale to hillslope-scale observations of runoff and sediment yield for 21 monitored hydrologically active rainfall events. The impact of the dynamic interactions between rainfall conditions and structural connectivity on functional connectivity were further analysed using general linear models with a backward model structure selection approach. Functional runoff connectivity during precipitation events was found to be dynamically controlled by antecedent precipitation conditions and rainfall intensity and strongly modulated by the structural connectivity of the slopes. On slopes without rills, both runoff and sediments for all events were largely redistributed within the analysed hillslopes, resulting in low functional connectivity. Sediment connectivity increased with rainfall intensity, particularly in the presence of rill networks where active incision under high-intensity storm conditions led to large non-linear increases in sediment yield from the surface-patch to the hillslope scales. Overall, our results demonstrate the usefulness of applying structural- and functional-connectivity metrics for practical applications and for assessing the complex links and controlling factors that regulate the transference of both surface water and sediments across different landscape scales.

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Section: Functional Connectivity: Formation Of Connected Runoff and Smentioning

confidence: 88%

Structural and functional control of surface-patch to hillslope runoff and sediment connectivity in Mediterranean dry reclaimed slope systems

Heras

Merino‐Martín²,

Saco³

et al. 2020

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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“…These outcomes can be achieved by altering landforms, slope, and catchment geometries (Martín‐Duque et al ). Reclaimed soils frequently possess a combination of unstable hydrologic behaviors and low infiltration, leading to erosion (Merino‐Martín et al ). Slope angle, aspect, and landscape context determine the receipt of solar radiation, which influences soil temperature and evaporation potential, and affect the light and temperature experienced by growing plants.…”

Section: Facilitating Plant Growth and Survivalmentioning

confidence: 99%

A framework for the practical science necessary to restore sustainable, resilient, and biodiverse ecosystems

Miller

Sinclair

Menz

et al. 2016

Restoration Ecology

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119

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Demand for restoration of resilient, self-sustaining, and biodiverse natural ecosystems as a conservation measure is increasing globally; however, restoration efforts frequently fail to meet standards appropriate for this objective. Achieving these standards requires management underpinned by input from diverse scientific disciplines including ecology, biotechnology, engineering, soil science, ecophysiology, and genetics. Despite increasing restoration research activity, a gap between the immediate needs of restoration practitioners and the outputs of restoration science often limits the effectiveness of restoration programs. Regrettably, studies often fail to identify the practical issues most critical for restoration success. We propose that part of this oversight may result from the absence of a considered statement of the necessary practical restoration science questions. Here we develop a comprehensive framework of the research required to bridge this gap and guide effective restoration. We structure questions in five themes: (1) setting targets and planning for success, (2) sourcing biological material, (3) optimizing establishment, (4) facilitating growth and survival, and (5) restoring resilience, sustainability, and landscape integration. This framework will assist restoration practitioners and scientists to identify knowledge gaps and develop strategic research focused on applied outcomes. The breadth of questions highlights the importance of cross-discipline collaboration among restoration scientists, and while the program is broad, successful restoration projects have typically invested in many or most of these themes. Achieving restoration ecology's goal of averting biodiversity losses is a vast challenge: investment in appropriate science is urgently needed for ecological restoration to fulfill its potential and meet demand as a conservation tool

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“…Detailed digital elevation data for the analysis of structural connectivity was obtained from a topographical field survey (Merino-Martín et al, 2015). DEM break lines and filling points (~0.5 points m -2 data density) were obtained using a total station (Topcon GTS212).…”

Section: Structural Connectivity Quantification: Distribution Of Sourmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The analysis of runoff and sediment connectivity has a critical relevance for landscape management in these human-made, water-limited environments, where the functional components of runoff and sediment connectivity (e.g., the routing of runoff and sediment fluxes from the surface patch to the broader, hillslope scale) can shape on-site structural connectivity factors (e.g., vegetation patterns, spatial distribution of rill networks and sedimentation areas) over long periods, conditioning the long-term ecogeomorphic stability of the reclaimed systems (Moreno-de-las-Heras et al, 2011a). In fact, within-slope spatial redistribution of runoff and sediment fluxes in these reclaimed Mediterranean-dry systems feeds back into patch-scale hydrological behaviour by controlling the availability of water and soil resources for the long-term development of vegetation cover (Espigares et al, 2011;Moreno-de-las-Heras et al, 2011b;Merino-Martín et al, 2015). Furthermore, the magnitude and cross-scale transmission of runoff and sediments in these reclaimed Mediterranean systems largely determines their off-site effects in the form of runoff and sediment conveyance to downstream channels and environments (Martín-Moreno et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural and functional control of surface-patch to hillslope-scale runoff and sediment connectivity in Mediterranean-dry reclaimed slope systems

Heras¹,

Merino‐Martín²,

Saco³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Abstract. Runoff and soil erosion in Mediterranean landscapes are affected by multiple factors that interact at a variety of spatial scales with variable degrees of connection. In these systems, connectivity has emerged as a useful concept for exploring the movement of runoff and sediments between landscape locations and across spatial scales. In this study, we examine the structural and functional controls of surface-patch to hillslope-scale runoff and sediment connectivity in three Mediterranean-dry reclaimed mining slope systems that have different long-term development levels of vegetation and rill networks. Structural connectivity, or the extent to which surface patches that facilitate the production of runoff/sediments are physically linked to one another, was assessed using a flowpath analysis of coupled vegetation distribution and surface topography. Functional connectivity, determined as the spatial continuity of surface fluxes across scales, was further explored using the ratio of surface-patch to hillslope-scale observations of runoff and sediment yield for 21 monitored hydrologically active rainfall events. Event-based (functional) runoff connectivity was found to be dynamically controlled by antecedent precipitation conditions and rainfall intensity and, at the same time, was strongly modulated by the structural connectivity of the slopes. In the absence of rill networks, both runoff and sediments for all events were largely redistributed within the analysed systems, resulting in low functional connectivity. Sediment connectivity increased with rainfall intensity, particularly in the presence of rill networks where active incision under high intensity storm conditions led to large non-linear increases in sediment yield from the surface-patch to the hillslope scales. Overall, our results demonstrate the usefulness of applying structural and functional connectivity metrics for practical applications, and for assessing the complex links and controlling factors that regulate the transference of both runoff and sediment yield across different landscape scales.

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Overland flow directs soil moisture and ecosystem processes at patch scale in Mediterranean restored hillslopes

Abstract: 19Semiarid and arid environments are frequently structured in vegetation patches 20 that heterogeneously distribute water resources (water runoff and soil moisture). This

Cited by 17 publications

References 61 publications

Structural and functional control of surface-patch to hillslope runoff and sediment connectivity in Mediterranean dry reclaimed slope systems

Structural and functional control of surface-patch to hillslope runoff and sediment connectivity in Mediterranean dry reclaimed slope systems

A framework for the practical science necessary to restore sustainable, resilient, and biodiverse ecosystems

Structural and functional control of surface-patch to hillslope-scale runoff and sediment connectivity in Mediterranean-dry reclaimed slope systems

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