The invisible controls of catchment hydrology: storage, flows and interactions in the subsurface

Convener: Peter Chifflard | Co-conveners: Daniele Penna, Josie Geris, Lukas DitzelECSECS, Theresa Blume

Abstract submission

A multitude of processes contribute to the hydrologic functioning of catchments. Traditionally, catchment hydrology has been centered around surface runoff, which is readily observable. But at the same time, invisible below ground processes entailing the storage dynamics and flows of water are still underexplored. This includes subsurface runoff, as well as feedbacks of subsurface processes to the surface and the specific role of soil moisture in shaping these fluxes. This session aims to bring together contributions on the following topics and to address gaps in observations, models, and understanding of hydrologic systems:
- Identifying, tracing, and modeling subsurface runoff generation at the catchment scale.
- Factors and mechanisms controlling subsurface water storage and fluxes
- How soil moisture measurements at different scales can be used to improve process understanding, models, and hydrologic theory
- Interactions of surface and subsurface hydrologic processes