A taxonomy of hydrological processes and watershed function. Issue 3 (28th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McMillan, Hilary
• Is Part Of: Hydrological processes. Volume 36:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-03-28
• Subjects: classification -- hierarchy -- hydrological process -- runoff generation -- structure -- synthesis -- taxonomy -- watershed function; Hydrology -- Periodicals; Hydrology -- Research -- Periodicals; Hydrologic models -- Periodicals; Hydrological forecasting -- Periodicals; 631.432
• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.14537
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6087

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents a taxonomy (hierarchical organization) of hydrological processes; specifically, runoff generation processes in natural watersheds. Over 130 process names were extracted from a literature review of papers describing experimental watersheds, perceptual models, and runoff processes in a range of hydro‐climatic environments. Processes were arranged into a hierarchical structure, and presented as a spreadsheet and interactive diagram. For each process, additional information was provided: a list of alternative names for the same process, a classification into hydrological function (e.g., flux, storage, release) and a unique identifier similar to a hashtag. We hope that the proposed hierarchy will prompt collaboration and debate in the hydrologic community into naming and organizing processes, towards a comprehensive taxonomy. The taxonomy provides a method to label and search hydrological knowledge, thereby facilitating synthesis and comparison of processes across watersheds.