Microtopography as a Driving Mechanism for Ecohydrological Processes in Shallow Groundwater Systems

摘要

Microtopography can have a large eff ect on fl ow processes at the soil surface and the composi on of soil water. Microtopography is o en represented by a roughness parameter inhydrological models. In areas without a strong topographical gradient, microtopographymay be underes mated when accumulated in a single parameter, especially in shallowgroundwater systems. This study reviews the intricate rela onships between microtopography,surface runoff , and ecohydrology in systems featuring shallow water tables. Wespecifi cally focus on rela ons between microtopography and runoff , impact of microtopographyon response mes of shallow groundwater ecosystems, and microtopographyand spa al distribu on of groundwater quality parameters and site factors. We advocatethe use of microtopography in modeling approaches by examples that feature typical ecosystemswith shallow groundwater under infl uence of microtopography. With a simplemodeling approach, we show how microtopography could add fl exibility to the acrotelm–catotelm concept in raised bog hydrology. The classic acrotelm–catotelm concept hindersprogress in understanding small scale hydrological varia ons and other ecohydrologicalrela ons. Furthermore, we illustrate possible self-organiza on proper es of wetlands.Finally, we show how microtopography and surface runoff aff ect the mixing of water withdiff erent chemical signatures, resul ng in varia ons of the occurrence of plant species.