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The concept of hydrological connectivity and its contribution to understanding runoff‐dominated geomorphic systems
Author(s) -
Bracken Louise J.,
Croke Jacky
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
hydrological processes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.222
H-Index - 161
eISSN - 1099-1085
pISSN - 0885-6087
DOI - 10.1002/hyp.6313
Subject(s) - surface runoff , hydrological modelling , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , computer science , functional connectivity , ecohydrology , landscape connectivity , ecology , environmental resource management , geology , ecosystem , sociology , population , demography , geotechnical engineering , climatology , neuroscience , biology , biological dispersal
The term ‘connectivity’ is increasingly being applied in hydrological and geomorphological studies. Relevant research encompasses aspects of landscape connectivity, hydrological connectivity and sedimentological connectivity. Unlike other disciplines, notably ecology, published studies show no consensus on a standard definition. This paper provides an overview of how existing research relates to the concept of connectivity in both ecology and hydrology by proposing and evaluating a conceptual model of hydrological connectivity that includes five major components: climate; hillslope runoff potential; landscape position; delivery pathway and lateral connectivity. We also evaluate a proposed measure of connectivity called the volume to breakthrough to quantify changing connectivity between different environments and catchments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.