An analytical model for simulating the rainfall-interception-infiltration-runoff process with non-uniform rainfall.

The rainfall runoff process is a critical factor in determining the transport of surface materials. Simulating the surface runoff process is fundamental to accurately characterize soil erosion and soil nutrient loss. This research aims to develop a comprehensive simulation model for rainfall-interception-infiltration-runoff under vegetation cover conditions. The model integrates three key components: a vegetation interception model, Philip's infiltration model, and a kinematic wave model. By combining these models, an analytical solution is derived to simulate slope runoff considering vegetation interception and infiltration during non-constant rainfall events. To validate the reliability of the analytical solution, a numerical solution was obtained using the Pressimann Box scheme method and compared with the analytical results. The comparison confirms the accuracy and robustness of the analytical solution (R ²  = 0.984, RMSE = 0.0049 cm/min, NS = 0.969). Moreover, this study investigates the influence of two significant parameters, Int _m and k, on the production flow process. The analysis reveals that both parameters exert a significant impact on the timing of production initiation and the magnitude of runoff. Specifically, Int _m exhibits a positive correlation with runoff intensity, while k displays a negative correlation. This research introduces a novel simulation method that enhances our understanding and modeling of rainfall production and convergence under complex slope conditions. The proposed model provides valuable insights into rainfall-runoff dynamics, particularly in scenarios characterized by varying rainfall patterns and vegetation cover. Overall, this study contributes to advancing the field of hydrological modeling and offers a practical approach for quantifying soil erosion and nutrient loss under different environmental conditions.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced or appeared to influence any work that is reported in this paper.
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