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Improving the theoretical underpinnings of process‐based hydrologic models
Author(s) -
Clark Martyn P.,
Schaefli Bettina,
Schymanski Stanislaus J.,
Samaniego Luis,
Luce Charles H.,
Jackson Bethanna M.,
Freer Jim E.,
Arnold Jeffrey R.,
Moore R. Dan,
Istanbulluoglu Erkan,
Ceola Serena
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1002/2015wr017910
Subject(s) - hydrological modelling , cognitive reframing , current (fluid) , computer science , process (computing) , key (lock) , management science , psychology , geology , engineering , climatology , social psychology , oceanography , computer security , operating system
In this Commentary, we argue that it is possible to improve the physical realism of hydrologic models by making better use of existing hydrologic theory. We address the following questions: (1) what are some key elements of current hydrologic theory; (2) how can those elements best be incorporated where they may be missing in current models; and (3) how can we evaluate competing hydrologic theories across scales and locations? We propose that hydrologic science would benefit from a model‐based community synthesis effort to reframe, integrate, and evaluate different explanations of hydrologic behavior, and provide a controlled avenue to find where understanding falls short.