Back to Search Start Over

Knowledge gaps in our perceptual model of Great Britain's hydrology.

Authors :
Wagener, Thorsten
Dadson, Simon J.
Hannah, David M.
Coxon, Gemma
Beven, Keith
Bloomfield, John P.
Buytaert, Wouter
Cloke, Hannah
Bates, Paul
Holden, Joseph
Parry, Louise
Lamb, Rob
Chappell, Nick A.
Fry, Matthew
Old, Gareth
Source :
Hydrological Processes; Jul2021, Vol. 35 Issue 7, p1-13, 13p
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

There is a no lack of significant open questions in the field of hydrology. How will hydrological connectivity between freshwater bodies be altered by future human alterations to the hydrological cycle? Where does water go when it rains? Or what is the future space–time variability of flood and drought events? However, the answers to these questions will vary with location due to the specific and often poorly understood local boundary conditions and system properties that control the functional behaviour of a catchment or any other hydrologic control volume. We suggest that an open, shared and evolving perceptual model of a region's hydrology is critical to tailor our science questions, as it would be for any other study domain from the plot to the continental scale. In this opinion piece, we begin to discuss the elements of and point out some knowledge gaps in the perceptual model of the terrestrial water cycle of Great Britain. We discuss six major knowledge gaps and propose four key ways to reduce them. While the specific knowledge gaps in our perceptual model do not necessarily transfer to other places, we believe that the development of such perceptual models should be at the core of the debate for all hydrologic communities, and we encourage others to have a similar debate for their hydrologic domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
08856087
Volume :
35
Issue :
7
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Hydrological Processes
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
151625468
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14288