Ecohydrologic Dynamics of Rock Moisture in a Montane Catchment of the Colorado Front Range

Burns, Ethan; Rempe, D. M.; Parsekian, Andrew D.; Schmidt, Logan; Singha, Kamini; Barnard, H. R.

doi:10.1029/2022wr034117

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…The current conceptual model of hydrologic partitioning within aspect-regulated landscapes is largely based on environments where potential differences in actual evapotranspiration (ET) due to variability in plant functional groups are not incorporated (Pelletier et al, 2018;Regmi et al, 2019). Studies in watersheds with similar plant functional groups (e.g., trees) have shown higher transpiration rates on EFS compared to PFS (Bilir et al, 2021;Burns et al, 2023;Holst et al, 2010). However, the diversity in water use strategies (e.g., due to differences in rooting depth) among different plant functional groups and species can result in complex vegetation water uptake patterns between aspects which have lesser known impacts on subsurface water cycling (Armesto & Martίnez, 1978;Gutiérrez-Jurado et al, 2013;Hassler et al, 2018;Murphy et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspect Differences in Vegetation Type Drive Higher Evapotranspiration on a Pole‐Facing Slope in a California Oak Savanna

Donaldson,

Dralle,

Barling

et al. 2024

JGR Biogeosciences

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Quantifying evapotranspiration (ET) is critical to accurately predict vegetation health, groundwater recharge, and streamflow generation. Hillslope aspect, the direction a hillslope faces, results in variable incoming solar radiation and subsequent vegetation water use that drive ET. Previous work in watersheds with a single dominant vegetation type (e.g., trees) have shown that equator‐facing slopes (EFS) have higher ET compared to pole‐facing slopes (PFS) due to higher evaporative demand. However, it remains unclear how differences in vegetation type (i.e., grasses and trees) influence ET and water partitioning between hillslopes with opposing aspects. Here, we quantified ET and root‐zone water storage deficits between a PFS and EFS with contrasting vegetation types within central coastal California. Our results suggest that the cooler PFS with oak trees has higher ET than the warmer EFS with grasses, which is counter to previous work in landscapes with a singule dominant vegetation type. Our root‐zone water storage deficit calculations indicate that the PFS has a higher subsurface storage deficit and a larger seasonal dry down than the EFS. This aspect difference in subsurface water storage deficits may influence the subsequent replenishment of dynamic water storage, groundwater recharge and streamflow generation. In addition, larger subsurface water deficits on PFS may reduce their ability to serve as hydrologic refugia for oaks during multi‐year droughts. This research provides a novel integration of field‐based and remotely‐sensed estimates of ET required to properly quantify hillslope‐scale water balances. These findings emphasize the importance of resolving hillslope‐scale vegetation structure within Earth system models, especially in landscapes with diverse vegetation types.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspect Differences in Vegetation Type Drive Higher Evapotranspiration on a Pole‐Facing Slope in a California Oak Savanna

Donaldson,

Dralle,

Barling

et al. 2024

JGR Biogeosciences

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“…Rock weathering leads to increases in porosity (Graham et al., 2010; Navarre‐Sitchler et al., 2011) and mineral surface area, which in turn increases precipitation infiltration and runoff reduction, storage of plant available water (Hahm et al., 2020), and availability of soluble nutrients for vegetation. The structure of this weathered subsurface controls important processes such as carbon cycling (Tune et al., 2020), vegetative resiliency (Burns et al., 2023), and stream water quality (King & Pett‐Ridge, 2018). Currently, there is no conceptual or mechanistic model that can fully describe the evolution of this solid critical zone substrate through weathering, despite the well‐documented importance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quartz Dissolution Effects on Flow Channelization and Transport Behavior in Three‐Dimensional Fracture Networks

Hyman,

Navarre‐Sitchler,

Sweeney

et al. 2024

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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We perform a set of reactive transport simulations in three‐dimensional fracture networks to characterize the impact of geochemical reactions on flow channelization. Flow channelization, a frequently observed phenomenon in porous and fractured subsurface rock formations, results from the spatially variable hydraulic resistance offered by a geological structure. In addition to geo‐structural features such as network connectivity, geometry, and hydraulic resistance, geochemical reactions, for example, dissolution and precipitation, can dynamically inhibit or enhance flow channelization. These geochemical processes can change the fracture permeability leading to increased flow channelization, which are localized connected regions of high volumetric flow rates that are seemingly ubiquitous in the subsurface. In our simulations, fractures partially filled with quartz are gradually dissolved until quasi‐steady state conditions are obtained. We compare the flow field's initial unreacted and final dissolved states in terms of flow and transport observations. We observe that the dissolved fracture networks provide less resistance to flow and exhibit increased flow channelization when compared to their unreacted counterparts. However, there is substantial variability in the magnitude of these changes which implies that the channelization strongly depends on the network structure. In turn, we identify the interplay between the particular network structure and the impact of geochemical dissolution on flow channelization. The presented results indicate that geological systems that have been weathering or reactive for longer times in older landscapes are likely to have increased flow channelization compared to their equivalent but younger counterparts, which implies a time dependence on flow channelization in fractured media.

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Bedrock: the hidden water reservoir for trees challenged by drought

Nardini,

Tomasella,

Di Bert

2024

Trees

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Key message Bedrock can store appreciable amounts of available water, and some trees apparently use this resource to survive drought. Abstract Several forest ecosystems rely on only shallow soil layers overlying more or less compact bedrock. In such habitats, the largest water reservoir can be represented by rock moisture, rather than by soil water. Here, we review evidence for the presence of water available for root water uptake in some rock types, and show examples of the physiological and ecological roles of rock moisture, especially when trees are facing drought conditions. The possible magnitude of rock–root water exchanges is discussed in the frame of current knowledge of rock, soil, and root hydraulic properties. We highlight several areas of uncertainty regarding the role of rock moisture in preventing tree hydraulic failure under drought, the exact pathway(s) available for rock–root water exchange, and the relative efficiencies of water transport in the different compartments of the rock–soil–root continuum. Overall, available experimental evidence suggests that bedrock water should be incorporated into any model describing the forest seasonal water use and tree responses to drought.

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Ecohydrologic Dynamics of Rock Moisture in a Montane Catchment of the Colorado Front Range

Cited by 5 publications

References 64 publications

Aspect Differences in Vegetation Type Drive Higher Evapotranspiration on a Pole‐Facing Slope in a California Oak Savanna

Aspect Differences in Vegetation Type Drive Higher Evapotranspiration on a Pole‐Facing Slope in a California Oak Savanna

Quartz Dissolution Effects on Flow Channelization and Transport Behavior in Three‐Dimensional Fracture Networks

Bedrock: the hidden water reservoir for trees challenged by drought

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