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Spatial and temporal influences on hydrologic connectivity: A mathematical formalization
Citation:
LEIBOWITZ, S. G., J. J. McDonnell, T. Sayama, L. Hopp, AND S. M. Reaney. Spatial and temporal influences on hydrologic connectivity: A mathematical formalization. Presented at 2009 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 14 - 18, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
Connectivity between landscape elements has been an important consideration in landscape ecology since at least the mid-1980s.
Description:
Connectivity between landscape elements has been an important consideration in landscape ecology since at least the mid-1980s. In particular, the use of random landscapes to study the interaction between connectivity, landscape structure, and dispersal mechanisms has provided insight into metapopulation behavior and dynamics. More recently, the concept of connectivity has also been applied to various hydrologic problems, from the influence of headwater streams on downstream waters to runoff generation mechanisms controlled by fill and spill behavior. Although this has proved useful, the theoretical development of a hydrologic concept of connectivity has lagged behind the development of ecological landscape connectivity. Here we mathematically and graphically define hydrologic connectivity, based in part on the landscape ecology literature. We then outline a conceptual framework for considering spatial and temporal influences on hydrologic connectivity, taking into consideration the magnitude, frequency, and phase of hydrologic inputs and outputs. We illustrate how these concepts and definitions apply to a range of hydrologic problems at various spatial scales, using examples from well studied catchments at Maimai (New Zealand), Panola (Georgia, USA), and HJ Andrews (Oregon, USA). Finally, just as the use of random landscape models has benefited ecological theory, we suggest that hydrologic theory will benefit from the use of random hydrologic landscapes. Our work shows that these concepts and the large body of work on ecological landscape connectivity could help advance our understanding of hydrologic connectivity.