Abstract

Predicting hydrological catchment behavior based on measurable (and preferably widely available) catchment characteristics has been one of the main goals of hydrological modelling. Residence time distributions provide synoptic information about catchment functioning and can be useful metrics to predict their behaviors. Moreover, residence time distributions highlight a wide range of characteristic scales (spatial and temporal) and mixing processes. However, catchment-specific heterogeneity means that the link between residence time distributions and catchment characteristics is complex. Investigating this link for a wide range of catchments could reveal the role of topography, geology, land-use, climate and other factors in controlling catchment hydrology. Meaningful comparison is often challenging given the diversity of data and model structures and formats. To address this need, we are introducing a new virtual platform called Catchment virtual Observatory for Sharing flow and transport models outputs (COnSOrT). The goal of COnSOrT is to promote catchment intercomparison by sharing calibrated model outputs. Compiling commensurable results in COnSOrT will help evaluate model performance, quantify inter-catchment controls on hydrology, and identify research gaps and priorities in catchment science. Researchers interested in sharing or using calibrated model results are invited to participate in the virtual observatory. Participants may test post-processing methods on a wide range of catchment environments to evaluate the generality of their findings. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Transit time distribution; Modelling outputs; Catchment hydrology; Biogeochemistry; Watershed; Inter-catchment comparison

Published in

Journal of Hydrology
2016, Volume: 543, pages: 59-66
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Associated SLU-program

Lakes and watercourses


UKÄ Subject classification

Water Engineering
Soil Science
Environmental Management


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.04.067

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/81232