An investigation into the effects of the transition from grassland to shrubland on hydrological connectivity in the Jornada Basin, New Mexico

TitleAn investigation into the effects of the transition from grassland to shrubland on hydrological connectivity in the Jornada Basin, New Mexico
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication2004
AuthorsTurnbull L
Number of Pages88
Date Published2004
UniversityUniversity of London
CityKing's College London
Thesis TypeM.S. Dissertationpp
Accession NumberJRN00405
Call Number00841
Keywordsdissertation, dissertations, hydrology, grassland, hydrology, model, hydrology, runoff, hydrology, runon, hydrology, shrubland, model, hydrology, theses, thesis
AbstractThe effect of the transition from grassland to shrubland on hydrological connectivity is investigated over a semi-arid rangeland. A cellular model is developed to simulate hydrological connectivity for individual rain events. The model is based upon the probability of transfer of runoff to downslope cells. Simulations were based upon surveyed elevation data over 30 x 30m grassland and shrubland plots. Results show that the transition from grassland to shrubland causes a profound increase in hydrological connectivity, attributed to interactions between surface characteristics that propagate flow to the plot outlet, though primarily to the shrubland associated microtopography which concentrates runoff.