Untitled DocumentTransect study: partitioning of infiltration/runoff
Macro Theme Area:
Basin Scale Water Balance [Project ID: B18]
PI:
Eric Small
CO-PI(s):
Noah Molotch
Basin focus:
Rio Grande
Specific area in
basin /
field sites:
N/A
Summary/Goals: In this effort we explore the physical controls on the partitioning of rainfall and snowmelt into the various hydrologic pathways (i.e. infiltration, evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge, and surface runoff). We are focused on quantifying how above-ground vegetation structure impacts these fluxes; and how these vegetation controls vary between ecosystems.
Activities and outcomes during past year:
We installed soil moisture and snow monitoring instrumentation at the Mixed Conifer and Ponderosa sites at the Valle Caldera National Preserve. In addition, we sampled soil profiles for texture and root density.
Our preliminary data from winter '05 to fall '05 shows some interesting feedbacks between vegetation canopy structure, the distribution of mass and energy fluxes at the surface, and deep infiltration.
For example, soil water potential and soil moisture monitoring show that sub-canopy soil is dryest, both after snowmelt and summer rainstorms.
Plans for the upcoming year:
Continue data collection and integration with other measurements at the Valle. Depending upon plans of the VC research group, the field equipment may be removed during 2009, as this is the last year of SAHRA funding.
