The dominant runoff processes on grassland versus bare soil hillslopes in a temperate environment - An experimental study

Abstract

This paper aimed to investigate the dominant runoff processes (DRP’s) at plot-scale in the Curvature Subcarpathians under natural rainfall conditions characteristic for Romania’s temperate environment. The study was based on 32 selected rainfall-runoff events produced during the interval April–September (2014–2017). By comparing water balance on the analyzed Luvisol plots for two types of land use (grassland vs. bare soil), we showed that DRP’s are mostly formed by Hortonian Overland Flow (HOF), 47% vs. 59% respectively. On grassland, HOF is followed by Deep Percolation (DP, 31%) and Fast Subsurface Flow (SSF, 22%), whereas, on bare soil, DP shows a higher percentage (38%) and SSF a lower one (3%), which suggests that the soil-root interface controls the runoff generation. Concerning the relationship between antecedent precipitation and runoff, the study indicated the nonlinearity of the two processes, more obvious on grassland and in drought conditions than on bare soil and in wet conditions (as demonstrated by the higher runoff coefficients). Moreover, the HOF appeared to respond differently to rainfall events on the two plots - slightly longer lag-time, lower discharge and lower volume on grassland - which suggests the hydrologic key role of vegetation in runoff generation processes.

Impacts of Weather Types on Soil Erosion Rates in Vineyards at “Celler Del Roure” Experimental Research in Eastern Spain

“…The types of rainfall events are determined by raindrop characteristics [21,22], rainfall intensity [23,24], duration and total volume [25,26]. These rainfall characteristics determine the activation of runoff and total discharge along the hillslopes and watersheds [27].…”

Evaluación del índice de pobreza hídrica (WPI) en la cuenca de Borujerd-Dorood (Irán) para reforzar los planes de gestión del territorio

“…Therefore, considering that the upstream areas of this watershed were mostly mountainous and its average annual rainfall is higher than Iran; human interventions for the development of recreation areas and the creation of residential areas has also increased. Also, pasture areas are very common and grazing intensity has led to the destruction of vegetation like other authors mentioned in the past in other countries (Minea et al, 2019;Minea & Moroşanu, 2014). The economy of this region is mostly based on regional and extra-regional trade, agriculture and animal husbandry, as well as the production of industrial and mineral products (Ariapour et al, 2014;Jahangir & Yarahmadi, 2020).…”

Exploring the Dominant Runoff Processes in Two Typical Basins of the Yellow River, China

“…The higher the soil moisture on the eve of rainfall, the easier it was for topsoil to reach saturation. This also meant that the interflow and slow saturated overland flow were easier to produce and the proportion of baseflow components increased [35][36][37].…”

“…Water 2020, 12, 3055 10 of 17 reach saturation. This also meant that the interflow and slow saturated overland flow were easier to produce and the proportion of baseflow components increased [35][36][37].…”