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Information - HS28 Catchment structure and connectivity (co-listed in GM, BG & SSS)
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Event Information |
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It is now well established that spatial patterns and associated connectivity of catchments are an important control of their hydrological, sedimentological and ecological behaviour. Well known examples of relevant spatial patterns are topography, soil or aquifer properties and vegetation structure, Examples of relevant connectivities are the physical coupling of landforms (e.g. hillslope to channel) hydrological flowpath connectivity (e.g. macropore networks), sedimentological connectivity (e.g. along hillslope sediment entrapment) and ecological connectivity (e.g. related to the potential for breeding biological populations to span the path).
Traditionally, this information is used in a posterior way, by means of mapped hydrological response units, and their spatial connectivity. A major drawback of such an approach is that new data has to be collected for every new model application, and that principles of landscape self-organisation are neglected. Research into the development of a prior understanding of the spatial structure of catchment properties, as well as applications of this understanding to hydrological predictors, is strongly encouraged. Examples include:
- Co-evolution of the geomorphical, pedological, ecological, and hydrological spatial structure of catchments.
- Organisational principles like landscape evolution, optimality, self-organisation.
- Issues like physical necessity versus historical contingency.
- Issues how to detect organisation and structures in spatial datasets such as mathematical morphology.
- Feedbacks between runoff generating mechanisms, geomorphic processes, resulting in hillslope shape type distribution and hydrological response.
- Linkages between geomorphic processes, moisture conditions and soil formation, resulting in soil catenas, and associated patterns in hydraulic properties.
- Feedbacks between soils, moisture conditions and ecology, resulting in vegetation patterns, and associated transpirational behaviour.
Special emphasis is put on connectivity. Connectivity has been defined
- through information content, the probability that a signal or flow can pass, probably related to event size and/or travel distance
- through defining static or dynamic network structures in time or space;
- through the intervening storage along a flow path and associated breakthrough volumes;
- as a dynamic property that changes over time, for example through avulsion, catchment integration or karstic de-integration.
We are inviting papers that explore these alternative theoretical approaches, apply methods and estimates of connectivity at any scale, study predicted pathways for water, sediment, nutrients and populations within catchments, and explore the dynamic nature of connectivity with variations in conditions. We hope to bring together a range of researchers working on all aspects of connectivity from fieldwork to modelling, and who value the concept of connectivity for understanding catchment behaviour.
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Preliminary List of Solicited Speakers |
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 Back to Session Programme
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