CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Creed, I.; and Tague, C.
Date : 2001.
Title : Scaling hillslope processes to first and higher order drainage basins: the need for a modeling framework that is adaptive to changing controls on hydrological processes.
Publication : AGU Chapman Conference on State-of-the-Art Hillslope Hydrology. 8-12 October, 2001. Sunriver, Oregon.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
Many process-based hydrologic models rely on a conceptual foundation that emphasizes matrix and macropore flow as the dominate control on hillslope hydrology. With increasing pressure to effectively manage drainage basins at multiple scales, these hydrologic models are often applied across a range of different drainage basin conditions without being rigorously evaluated. Problems will arise when scaling from these hillslope models to drainage basins, and when applying these models across different physiographic and biogeoclimatic gradients. We provide an overview of current hillslope hydrologic modeling approaches, focusing on how these models define the fundamental modeling unit and its processes. We discuss the associated strengths and weaknesses for use at the scale of first or higher order drainage basins and for prediction of water quantity and quality. As an alternative to these approaches, we introduce an object-oriented modeling framework that is adaptive to the changing controls on hydrological processes as we move from the scale of an individual hillslope to drainage basins. Through examples in natural landscapes that range from flat, hilly to mountainous, we identify controls that may supercede matrix and macropore dominated hillslope processes. These controls reflect the impact or influence of drainage networks that are organized versus disorganized, static versus dynamic, and that contain ômeta-objectsö in the drainage basin that serve to attenuate or accentuate hillslope hydrologic processes (e.g., depressions, wetlands, lakes). Continued development of the object-oriented modeling framework will facilitate inclusion of these controls on hydrological processes within drainage basins.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology