Thermodynamic Limits of the Critical Zone and their Relevance to Hydropedology

Kleidon, Axel; Zehe, Erwin; Lin, Henry

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-386941-8.00008-3

Cited by 10 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 36 publications

(38 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…express this as "adjusting the model structure and parameters so as to respect this organizing principle". Some that have received attention in the literature include the optimality principle (Schymanski, 2008;Schymanski et al 2009), maximum energy dissipation , maximum entropy production (Kleidon and Schymanski, 2008;Kleidon et al, 2012Kleidon et al, , 2013Westhoff and Zehe, 2013), landscape evolution laws and optimal channel networks (Rodriguez-Iturbe and Rinaldo, 2001;Rinaldo et al, 2014) or self-organized dissipation of singular events (Beven, 2015). Proper application of such principles can be used to improve the theoretical underpinnings of hydrologic models (Clark et al, 2016) and can provide constraints that might be useful in making predictions , although see Beven (2015), who calls them purely theoretical conjectures that are difficult to prove.…”

Section: Some Further Comments Regarding Parameter Allocationmentioning

confidence: 99%

HESS Opinions: Advocating process modeling and de-emphasizing parameter estimation

Bahremand

2016

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Since its origins as an engineering discipline, with its widespread use of "black box" (empirical) modeling approaches, hydrology has evolved into a scientific discipline that seeks a more "white box" (physics-based) modeling approach to solving problems such as the description and simulation of the rainfall-runoff responses of a watershed. There has been much recent debate regarding the future of the hydrological sciences, and several publications have voiced opinions on this subject. This opinion paper seeks to comment and expand upon some recent publications that have advocated an increased focus on process-based modeling while de-emphasizing the focus on detailed attention to parameter estimation. In particular, it offers a perspective that emphasizes a more hydraulic (more physics-based and less empirical) approach to development and implementation of hydrological models.

show abstract

Section: Some Further Comments Regarding Parameter Allocationmentioning

confidence: 99%

HESS Opinions: Advocating process modeling and de-emphasizing parameter estimation

Bahremand

2016

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The symbol "M" represents an engine that converts the displayed gradient into power. After Kleidon et al (2012a).…”

Section: Thermodynamic Equilibriummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In general, a state of maximum power requires at least two feedbacks for the evolutionary dynamics (Ozawa et al, 2003;Kleidon et al, 2012a). A fast, positive feedback starts the dynamics and amplifies these further by generating free energy for the dynamics that deplete the gradient (loop A in Fig.…”

Section: Feedbacks Structure Formation and Maximizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermodynamics, maximum power, and the dynamics of preferential river flow structures at the continental scale

Kleidon

Zehe

Ehret

et al. 2013

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

124

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract.The organization of drainage basins shows some reproducible phenomena, as exemplified by self-similar fractal river network structures and typical scaling laws, and these have been related to energetic optimization principles, such as minimization of stream power, minimum energy expenditure or maximum "access". Here we describe the organization and dynamics of drainage systems using thermodynamics, focusing on the generation, dissipation and transfer of free energy associated with river flow and sediment transport. We argue that the organization of drainage basins reflects the fundamental tendency of natural systems to deplete driving gradients as fast as possible through the maximization of free energy generation, thereby accelerating the dynamics of the system. This effectively results in the maximization of sediment export to deplete topographic gradients as fast as possible and potentially involves large-scale feedbacks to continental uplift. We illustrate this thermodynamic description with a set of three highly simplified models related to water and sediment flow and describe the mechanisms and feedbacks involved in the evolution and dynamics of the associated structures. We close by discussing how this thermodynamic perspective is consistent with previous approaches and the implications that such a thermodynamic description has for the understanding and prediction of subgrid scale organization of drainage systems and preferential flow structures in general.

show abstract

“…We propose that an energy‐related metric can aid in the evaluation and valuation of ecosystem processes and services occurring in the critical zone, similar to those proposed in the ecological economics literature (e.g., Patterson, 1998). One such energy‐related currency is the capacity to perform physical and chemical work on the subsurface (Rasmussen et al, 2011; Kleidon et al, 2012), which permeates multiple spatial and temporal scales relevant to the critical zone.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical Zone Services: Expanding Context, Constraints, and Currency beyond Ecosystem Services

Field

Breshears

Law

et al. 2015

Vadose Zone Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Processes within the critical zone-spanning groundwater to the top of the vegetation canopy-have important societal relevance and operate over broad spatial and temporal scales that often are not included in existing frameworks for ecosystem services evaluation. Here we expand the scope of ecosystem services by specifying how critical zone processes extend context both spatially and temporally, determine constraints that limit provision of services, and offer a potentially powerful currency for evaluation. Context: A critical zone perspective extends the context of ecosystem services by expressly addressing how the physical structure of the terrestrial Earth surface (e.g., parent material, topography, and orography) provides a broader spatial and temporal template determining the coevolution of physical and biological systems that result in societal benefits. Constraints: The rates at which many ecosystem services are provided are fundamentally constrained by rate-limited critical zone processes, a phenomenon that we describe as a conceptual "supply chain" that accounts for rate-limiting soil formation, hydrologic partitioning, and streamflow generation. Currency: One of the major challenges in assessing ecosystem services is the evaluation of their importance by linking ecological processes to societal benefits through market and nonmarket valuation. We propose that critical zone processes be integrated into an evaluation currency, useful for valuation, by quantifying the energy flux available to do thermodynamic work on the critical zone. In short, characterization of critical zone processes expands the scope of ecosystem services by providing context, constraints, and currency that enable more effective management needed to respond to impacts of changing climate and disturbances.Abbreviations: EEMT, Effective Energy and Mass Transfer.

show abstract

Thermodynamic Limits of the Critical Zone and their Relevance to Hydropedology

Cited by 10 publications

References 36 publications

HESS Opinions: Advocating process modeling and de-emphasizing parameter estimation

HESS Opinions: Advocating process modeling and de-emphasizing parameter estimation

Thermodynamics, maximum power, and the dynamics of preferential river flow structures at the continental scale

Critical Zone Services: Expanding Context, Constraints, and Currency beyond Ecosystem Services

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About