The influence of seasonally frozen soil on the snowmelt runoff at two Alpine sites in southern Switzerland

Bayard, Daniel; Stähli, Manfred; Parriaux, A.; Flühler, H.

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2004.11.012

Cited by 184 publications

(130 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…A detailed description of the model including all its equations and parameters is given in Jansson and Karlberg (2001) while its applications are detailed in a number of studies (e.g. Johnsson and Lundin, 1991;Stähli et al, 1996;Bayard et al, 2005).…”

Section: Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meltwater infiltration into the frozen active layer at an alpine permafrost site

Scherler

Hauck

Hoelzle

et al. 2010

Permafrost & Periglacial

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A coupled heat and mass transfer model simulating mass and energy balance of the soil-snow-atmosphere boundary layer was applied to simulate ground temperatures, together with water and ice content evolution, in the active layer of an alpine permafrost site on Schilthorn, Swiss Alps. Abrupt shifts and subsequent fluctuations in ground temperature observed in alpine permafrost boreholes at the beginning of the zero curtain phase in summer were explained by snowmelt and meltwater infiltration. Simulated water contents were compared to values derived from inverted electrical resistivity measurements and yielded a further independent validation of the model results. The study shows that infiltration into frozen soil takes place as an oscillating process in the model. This process is constrained by initial ground temperatures, infiltrability and the availability of meltwater from the snow cover.

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Section: Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meltwater infiltration into the frozen active layer at an alpine permafrost site

Scherler

Hauck

Hoelzle

et al. 2010

Permafrost & Periglacial

Self Cite

106

115

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“…This implies that winter temperatures are linked with surface wetness of the growing season, but these mechanisms are poorly understood. Useful is the observation by Bayard et al (2005) in the southern Swiss Alps that cold winters prolonged soil frost, and thus blocked downward percolation of meltwater. Similarly, prolonged frost in Mauntschas would reduce the downward percolation of surface water, both on the mire and in the surroundings, thus increasing the runoff onto the mire.…”

Section: Surface Wetness and Climatementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Their variable structure is often influenced by bedrock properties, which makes them challenging in ecological and palaeoecological investigations (Hájek et al, 2002;Horsak et al, 2003). Furthermore, climate-hydrology relationships in mountainous areas are very complex, with snow and temperature playing important roles in the hydrology of the soils (Bayard et al, 2005;de Jong et al, 2006).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A near‐annual palaeohydrological study based on testate amoebae from a sub‐alpine mire: surface wetness and the role of climate during the instrumental period

Lamentowicz

Knaap

Lamentowicz

et al. 2010

J Quaternary Science

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We present the first testate amoeba-based palaeohydrological reconstruction from the Swiss Alps, and the first depth to the water table (DWT) calibration dataset for this region. Compared to existing models, our new calibration dataset performs well (RMSEP ¼ 4.88), despite the length of the water table gradient covered (53 cm). The present-day topography and vegetation of the study mire Mauntschas suggest that it is partly ombrotrophic (large Sphagnum fuscum hummocks, one of which was the coring site) but mostly under the minerotrophic influence of springs in the mire and runoff from the surrounding area. Ombrotrophic Sphagnum fuscum hummocks developed at the sampling site only during the last 50 years, when testate amoebae indicate a shift towards dry and/or acid conditions. Prior to AD 1950 the water table was much higher, suggesting that the influence of the mineral-rich water prevented the development of ombrotrophic hummocks. The reconstructed DWT correlated with Pinus cembra pollen accumulation rates, suggesting that testate amoebae living on the mire and P. cembra growing outside of it partly respond to the same factor(s). Finally, temperature trends from the nearby meteorological station paralleled trends in reconstructed DWT. However, contrary to other studies made on raised bogs of northwestern Europe, the highest correlation was observed for winter temperature, despite the fact that testate amoebae would more logically respond to moisture conditions during the growing season. The observed correlation with winter temperature might reflect a control of winter severity on surface moisture during at least the first part of the growing season, through snow melt and soil frost phenomena influencing run-off. More ecohydrological work on subalpine mires is needed to understand the relationships between climate, testate amoebae and peatland development.

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“…A permanent snow cover in winter protects the soil from freezing, which is important for snowmelt infiltration and runoff, respectively (Stähli et al 2001;Bayard et al 2005). Thus, higher levels of rainfall and changes in freezing/thawing cycles can be expected to increase soil erosion and mass movement because of sparse or no vegetation cover at low elevations in winter and in early spring.…”

Section: Changes In Snow Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate and land-use changes affecting river sediment and brown trout in alpine countries—a review

Scheurer

Alewell

Bänninger

et al. 2008

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Background, aim, and scope Catch decline of freshwater fish has been recorded in several countries. Among the possible causes, habitat change is discussed. This article focuses on potentially increased levels of fine sediments going to rivers and their effects on gravel-spawning brown trout. Indications of increased erosion rates are evident from land-use change in agriculture, changes in forest management practices, and from climate change. The latter induces an increase in air and river water temperatures, reduction in permafrost, changes in snow dynamics and an increase in heavy rain events. As a result, an increase in river sediment is likely. Suspended sediment may affect fish health and behaviour directly. Furthermore, sediment loads may clog gravel beds impeding fish such as brown trout from spawning and reducing recruitment rates. To assess the potential impact on fine sediments, knowledge of brown trout reproductive needs and the effects of sediment on brown trout health were evaluated. Approach We critically reviewed the literature and included results from ongoing studies to answer the following questions, focusing on recent decades and rivers in alpine countries.-Have climate change and land-use change increased erosion and sediment loads in rivers? -Do we have indications of an increase in riverbed clogging?-Are there indications of direct or indirect effects on brown trout from increased suspended sediment concentrations in rivers or from an increase in riverbed clogging?Results Rising air temperatures have led to more intensive precipitation in winter months, earlier snow melt in spring, and rising snow lines and hence to increased erosion. Intensification of land use has supported erosion in lowland and prealpine areas in the second half of the twentieth century. In the Alps, however, reforestation of abandoned land at high altitudes might reduce the erosion risk while intensification on the lower, more easily accessible slopes increases erosion risk. Data from laboratory experiments show that suspended sediments affect the health and behaviour of fish when available in high amounts. Point measurements in large rivers indicate no common lethal threat and suspended sediment is rarely measured continuously in small rivers. However, effects on fish can be expected under environmentally relevant conditions. River bed clogging impairs the reproductive performance of gravel-spawning fish. Discussion Overall, higher erosion and increased levels of fine sediment going into rivers are expected in future. Additionally, sediment loads in rivers are suspected to have considerably impaired gravel bed structure and brown trout spawning is impeded. Timing of discharge is put forward and is now more likely to affect brown trout spawning than in previous decades. Conclusions Reports on riverbed clogging from changes in erosion and fine sediment deposition patterns, caused by climate change and land-use change are rare. This review identifies both a risk of increases in climate erosive forces and fine sedi...

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The influence of seasonally frozen soil on the snowmelt runoff at two Alpine sites in southern Switzerland

Cited by 184 publications

References 14 publications

Meltwater infiltration into the frozen active layer at an alpine permafrost site

Meltwater infiltration into the frozen active layer at an alpine permafrost site

A near‐annual palaeohydrological study based on testate amoebae from a sub‐alpine mire: surface wetness and the role of climate during the instrumental period

Climate and land-use changes affecting river sediment and brown trout in alpine countries—a review

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