Hydropedological Characteristics of the Cathedral Peak Research Catchments
It has long been recognised that the role of soils is critical to the understanding of the way catchments store and release water. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the hydropedological characteristics and flow dynamics of the soils of three mountain catchment areas. Digital soil maps of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Hydrology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/9/11/189 |
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| author | Rowena Harrison Johan van Tol Philippe Amiotte Suchet |
| author_facet | Rowena Harrison Johan van Tol Philippe Amiotte Suchet |
| author_sort | Rowena Harrison |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | It has long been recognised that the role of soils is critical to the understanding of the way catchments store and release water. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the hydropedological characteristics and flow dynamics of the soils of three mountain catchment areas. Digital soil maps of the hydropedological characteristics of the catchments were interpreted and a conceptual response of these watersheds to precipitation was formed. This conceptual response was then tested with the use of site-specific precipitation and streamflow data. Furthermore, piezometers were installed in soils classified as the interflow hydropedological soil group as well as the saturated responsive hydropedological soil group and water table depth data for the three catchments were analysed. Climatic data indicated that there is a lag time effect in the quantity of precipitation that falls in the catchment and the corresponding rise in streamflow value. This lag time effect coupled with data obtained from the piezometers show that the various hydropedological soil groups play a pivotal role in the flow dynamics. Of importance is the unique influence of different wetland systems on the streamflow dynamics of the catchments. The drying and wetting cycles of individual wetland systems influenced both the baseflow connectivity and the overland flow during wetter periods. They are the key focus in understanding the connectivity between the hydropedological flow paths and the contribution of soil water to the stream networks of the three catchments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:02:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3ad095de287c4b1ba834d12b77840404 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2306-5338 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:02:22Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Hydrology |
| spelling | doaj.art-3ad095de287c4b1ba834d12b778404042023-11-24T04:53:34ZengMDPI AGHydrology2306-53382022-10-0191118910.3390/hydrology9110189Hydropedological Characteristics of the Cathedral Peak Research CatchmentsRowena Harrison0Johan van Tol1Philippe Amiotte Suchet2South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), Grasslands, Forests, Wetlands Node, Montrose, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South AfricaDepartment of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South AfricaBiogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, Université Bourgogne, Franche-Comté, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, FranceIt has long been recognised that the role of soils is critical to the understanding of the way catchments store and release water. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the hydropedological characteristics and flow dynamics of the soils of three mountain catchment areas. Digital soil maps of the hydropedological characteristics of the catchments were interpreted and a conceptual response of these watersheds to precipitation was formed. This conceptual response was then tested with the use of site-specific precipitation and streamflow data. Furthermore, piezometers were installed in soils classified as the interflow hydropedological soil group as well as the saturated responsive hydropedological soil group and water table depth data for the three catchments were analysed. Climatic data indicated that there is a lag time effect in the quantity of precipitation that falls in the catchment and the corresponding rise in streamflow value. This lag time effect coupled with data obtained from the piezometers show that the various hydropedological soil groups play a pivotal role in the flow dynamics. Of importance is the unique influence of different wetland systems on the streamflow dynamics of the catchments. The drying and wetting cycles of individual wetland systems influenced both the baseflow connectivity and the overland flow during wetter periods. They are the key focus in understanding the connectivity between the hydropedological flow paths and the contribution of soil water to the stream networks of the three catchments.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/9/11/189hydropedologysoil sciencecatchment hydrologyhydropedology soil mapssoil flow paths |
| spellingShingle | Rowena Harrison Johan van Tol Philippe Amiotte Suchet Hydropedological Characteristics of the Cathedral Peak Research Catchments Hydrology hydropedology soil science catchment hydrology hydropedology soil maps soil flow paths |
| title | Hydropedological Characteristics of the Cathedral Peak Research Catchments |
| title_full | Hydropedological Characteristics of the Cathedral Peak Research Catchments |
| title_fullStr | Hydropedological Characteristics of the Cathedral Peak Research Catchments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hydropedological Characteristics of the Cathedral Peak Research Catchments |
| title_short | Hydropedological Characteristics of the Cathedral Peak Research Catchments |
| title_sort | hydropedological characteristics of the cathedral peak research catchments |
| topic | hydropedology soil science catchment hydrology hydropedology soil maps soil flow paths |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/9/11/189 |
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