Patterns of water movement on a logged Gray Luvisolic hillslope during the snowmelt period

Whitson, I R; Chanasyk, D. S.; Prepas, E. E.

doi:10.4141/s02-081

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…The soils found on aspen‐forested uplands on the Boreal Plain region of Alberta feature a relatively coarse‐textured Ae horizon (clays and organic matter eluviated) overlying a clay‐enriched Bt horizon (Whitson et al , 2004) and are classified as Luvisolic (Soil Classification Working Group, 1998). In other parts of the world where soils feature a coarse‐textured A horizon overlying a finer‐texture B horizon, lateral flow at the A–B interface has not always been observed (Wilson et al , 1990; Newman et al , 1998; Lin et al 2005; Lohse and Dietrich, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms and pathways of lateral flow on aspen‐forested, Luvisolic soils, Western Boreal Plains, Alberta, Canada

Redding

Devito

2010

Hydrological Processes

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Abstract:Rainfall simulation experiments by Redding and Devito (2008, Hydrological Processes 23: 4287-4300) on two adjacent plots of contrasting antecedent soil moisture storage on an aspen-forested hillslope on the Boreal Plain showed that lateral flow generation occurred only once large soil storage capacity was saturated combined with a minimum event precipitation of 15-20 mm. This paper extends the results of Redding and Devito (2008, Hydrological Processes 23: 4287-4300) with detailed analysis of pore pressure, soil moisture and tracer data from the rainfall simulation experiments, which is used to identify lateral flow generation mechanisms and flow pathways. Lateral flow was not generated until soils were wet into the fine textured C horizon. Lateral flow occurred dominantly through the clay-rich Bt horizon by way of root channels. Lateral flow during the largest event was dominated by event water, and precipitation intensity was critical in lateral flow generation. Lateral flow was initiated as preferential flow near the soil surface into root channels, followed by development of a perched water table at depth, which also interacted with preferential flow pathways to move water laterally by the transmissivity feedback mechanism. The results indicate that lateral flow generated by rainfall on these hillslopes is uncommon because of the generally high available soil moisture storage capacity and the low probability of rainfall events of sufficient magnitude and intensity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms and pathways of lateral flow on aspen‐forested, Luvisolic soils, Western Boreal Plains, Alberta, Canada

Redding

Devito

2010

Hydrological Processes

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“…The dominance of snowmelt infiltration over runoff on hillslopes in the boreal forest is well documented (Price & Kachanoski & de Jong 1982;Kane & Stein 1984;Whitson et al 2004;Devito et al 2005b). At a site approximately 200 km southeast of this study site, with similar soils to the LA site, Whitson et al (2004) measured RCs of less than 1% on a clearcut harvested hillslope with an easterly aspect.…”

Section: Controls On Snowmelt Runoff From Forested Hillslopesmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…At a site approximately 200 km southeast of this study site, with similar soils to the LA site, Whitson et al (2004) measured RCs of less than 1% on a clearcut harvested hillslope with an easterly aspect. The RCs in this study are similar to those of Kane & Stein (1984) who found RCs from snow plots in central Alaska ranged from 0 to 54% for a south-facing aspen-birch forested hillslope with silt loam soils.…”

Section: Controls On Snowmelt Runoff From Forested Hillslopesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the boreal forest, infiltration often dominates over surface runoff at the hillslope scale during the snowmelt period (Mace 1968;Kachanoski & de Jong 1982;Elliott et al 1998;Kalef 2002;Whitson et al 2004) due to the high infiltration capacity of most forest soils, even under frozen conditions (Pierce et al 1958). A large available soil moisture storage capacity prior to snowmelt plays an important role in reducing snowmelt runoff in soils that have high infiltration rates (Kalef 2002;Devito et al 2005b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Stein et al 1994). Given the large heterogeneity in texture of the deep, dry soils on the Boreal Plains (Whitson et al 2004;Devito et al 2005a) and the potentially high infiltration rates during frozen conditions (Kalef 2002), there is considerable uncertainty about the importance and magnitude of snowmeit runoff contributions from upland forested hiiislopes to wetlands.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Aspect and soil textural controls on snowmelt runoff on forested Boreal Plain hillslopes

Redding

Devito

2011

Hydrology Research

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Plot studies were conducted on a jack pine forest with sandy soil and aspen forests with sandy and loam soils to examine the controls of slope aspect, soil texture and fall soil moisture content on nearsurface snowmeit runoff and infiltration. It was hypothesized that near-surface runoff would be greater from north-facing slopes on ioam sous with increased faii soil moisture content. Fali sou moisture had no measurable effect on spring snowmeit runoff, infiltration of snowmelt dominated (drainage coefficients 53-100%, median 87%) over near-surface runoff (runoff coefficients 1-65%, median 7%) for most plots. Runoff was related to concrete frost at the minerai sou surface. In contrast to the processes hypothesized, south-facing hiiisiopes with sandy sous generated greater runoff than north-facing slopes or sites with finer-textured soils. These results were due to greater concrete frost development resulting from periodic spring snowmeit and re-freezing in the upper soil. South-facing hiiisiopes with sandy soils featured iower canopy cover, allowing greater solar radiation to reach the snow surface which led to the formation of concrete frost and faster melt rates resulting in near-surface runoff. Where hiiisiopes are connected to receiving surface waters by continuous concrete frost, snowmeit runoff at the watershed scaie may be enhanced.

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Water and nutrient inputs, outputs, and storage in Canadian boreal forest wetlands: a review

Pelster

Burke

Couling

et al. 2008

Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science

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Boreal wetlands, primarily peatlands, are important global carbon (C) reservoirs and integral components of regional hydrological networks. This paper summarizes our current state of knowledge regarding components of water and nutrient budgets in northern wetlands, with a focus on Canada. Boreal wetland water budgets are strongly influenced by the following: seasonal weather patterns as they relate to the timing of precipitation and meltwater inputs and evapotranspiration (ET) losses;; vegetation cover in the wetland and surrounding uplands as it relates to rain and snow interception and evapotranspiration;; and connectivity of the wetland to the regional hydrological network. Key factors that influence boreal wetland phosphorus (P) budgets are: spatial and temporal variability in the water table as they relate to reduction–oxidation conditions and rewetting of highly decomposed peat;; concentrations of metals and ions involved in P complexation and release;; vegetation age and type (herbaceous versus woody);; and seasonal weather patterns as they relate to water retention time. As with other components of the boreal forest, wetlands are often limited in bioavailable nitrogen (N), therefore bulk deposition and symbiotic fixation are key N sources. Within many wetlands, N is rapidly cycled through vegetation and microbial communities, and converted to gaseous N or exported as organic N in outflows. In terms of C budgets, boreal wetlands are important reservoirs, converting inorganic and organic C inputs to peat. Climate change and anthropogenic N loading threaten the water and C balance in boreal wetlands.

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Patterns of water movement on a logged Gray Luvisolic hillslope during the snowmelt period

Cited by 9 publications

References 29 publications

Mechanisms and pathways of lateral flow on aspen‐forested, Luvisolic soils, Western Boreal Plains, Alberta, Canada

Mechanisms and pathways of lateral flow on aspen‐forested, Luvisolic soils, Western Boreal Plains, Alberta, Canada

Aspect and soil textural controls on snowmelt runoff on forested Boreal Plain hillslopes

Water and nutrient inputs, outputs, and storage in Canadian boreal forest wetlands: a review

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