<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The runoff coefficient (RC) is widely used despite requiring to know the effective contributing area, which cannot be known <italic>a priori</italic>. In a previous work, we defined runoff length (RL), which is difficult to measure. This work aimed to define the minimum RL (mRL), a quantitative and easy proxy of RL, for use in a pilot study on biocrusts in the Tabernas Desert, Spain. We show that RC decreases according to a hyperbola when the contributing area increases, the independent variable being the length of the effective contributing area and its coefficient involving the effects of rainfall and surface features and antecedent conditions. We defined the mRL as the length of the effective contributing area making RC = 1, which is calculated regardless of the area. We studied mRL from three biocrust types and 1411 events clustered in seven categories. The mRL increased with rain volume and intensity, catchment area and slope, whereas plant cover and biocrust succession (with one exception) had a negative effect. Depending on the plot, mRL reached up 3.3–4.0 m on cyanobacterial biocrust, 2.2–7.5 m on the most widespread lichens, and 1.0–1.5 m on late-successional lichens. We discuss the relationships of mRL with other runoff-related parameters.</p>
</abstract>

The runoff coefficient (RC) is widely used despite requiring to know the effective contributing area, which cannot be known a priori. In a previous work, we defined runoff length (RL), which is difficult to measure. This work aimed to define the minimum RL (mRL), a quantitative and easy proxy of RL, for use in a pilot study on biocrusts in the Tabernas Desert, Spain. We show that RC decreases according to a hyperbola when the contributing area increases, the independent variable being the length of the effective contributing area and its coefficient involving the effects of rainfall and surface features and antecedent conditions. We defined the mRL as the length of the effective contributing area making RC = 1, which is calculated regardless of the area. We studied mRL from three biocrust types and 1411 events clustered in seven categories. The mRL increased with rain volume and intensity, catchment area and slope, whereas plant cover and biocrust succession (with one exception) had a negative effect. Depending on the plot, mRL reached up 3.3–4.0 m on cyanobacterial biocrust, 2.2–7.5 m on the most widespread lichens, and 1.0–1.5 m on late-successional lichens. We discuss the relationships of mRL with other runoff-related parameters.

Defining minimum runoff length allows for discriminating biocrusts and rainfall events

Inter-University Institute for Local Development (IIDL), Department of Geography

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The runoff coefficient (RC) is widely used despite requiring to know the effective contributing area, which cannot be known a priori. In a previous work, we...

Defining minimum runoff length allows for discriminating biocrusts and rainfall events

Pubblicato online: 15 nov 2021

Pagine: 387 - 399

Ricevuto: 16 giu 2021

Accettato: 13 set 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2021-0029

Parole chiave
Semiarid, Biological soil crust, Runoff connectivity, Length slope factor, Infiltration, Tabernas Desert

© 2021 Roberto Lázaro et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Defining minimum runoff length allows for discriminating biocrusts and rainfall events

Pubblicato online: 15 nov 2021

Pagine: 387 - 399

Ricevuto: 16 giu 2021

Accettato: 13 set 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2021-0029

Parole chiaveSemiarid, Biological soil crust, Runoff connectivity, Length slope factor, Infiltration, Tabernas Desert

© 2021 Roberto Lázaro et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Parole chiave
Semiarid, Biological soil crust, Runoff connectivity, Length slope factor, Infiltration, Tabernas Desert