Runoff generation from logged and burnt convergent hillslopes: rainfall simulation and modelling
Corresponding Author
Patrick N. J. Lane
Forest Science Centre, Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 137, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology, GPO Box 1666, ACT 2601
Forest Science Centre, Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 137, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.===Search for more papers by this authorJacky C. Croke
School of Geography and Oceanography, UNSW, ACT 2601
Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology, GPO Box 1666, ACT 2601
Search for more papers by this authorPaul Dignan
Forest Science Centre, Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 137, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Patrick N. J. Lane
Forest Science Centre, Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 137, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology, GPO Box 1666, ACT 2601
Forest Science Centre, Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 137, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.===Search for more papers by this authorJacky C. Croke
School of Geography and Oceanography, UNSW, ACT 2601
Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology, GPO Box 1666, ACT 2601
Search for more papers by this authorPaul Dignan
Forest Science Centre, Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 137, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
This paper reports results from field experiments and hydrological modelling on the dynamics of runoff generation in highly convergent parts of the landscape in a logged and burnt eucalypt forest in south-eastern Victoria, Australia. Large-scale rainfall simulation experiments were conducted to explore runoff generating mechanisms from harvested areas, and to assess the effectiveness of standard water quality protective measures, here a disturbed filter strip, in preventing accession of sediment to near-stream areas. We then examined the likely effects of varying antecedent moisture conditions on surface and subsurface runoff generating mechanisms. Very small volumes of surface runoff were generated only at very high rainfall intensity rates that exceeded a 100 year recurrence interval event during the simulated experiments. There was little or no identifiable impact of either compaction from logging operations or fire-induced hydrophobicity on surface infiltration or generation of surface runoff. Measured soil hydraulic properties and soil depths explained the paucity of surface runoff, and the dominance of subsurface storm flow as the prime runoff generating mechanism. Deep lateral subsurface flow was observed from the cut-face of a fire access track and into a streamhead downslope of the experimental plots. Water balance modelling using Topog_Dynamic indicated the conditions under which saturated overland flow in this environment could be generated are rare, but that care should be taken in siting of roads and tracks in lower parts of convergent landscapes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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