EGU2020-20264
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-20264
EGU General Assembly 2020
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Understanding runoff formation in a basin with Peat Bog and Podzol hillslopes

Lukáš Vlček1,2, Václav Šípek1, Jitka Kofroňová1,2, Jan Kocum1,3, Tomáš Doležal1, and Bohumír Janský1
Lukáš Vlček et al.
  • 1Institute of Hydrodynamics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Czechia (vlcek@natur.cuni.cz)
  • 2Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
  • 3Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education, Technical University of Liberec, Czechia

This research deals with the hydrological function of Peat Bog in a catchment where Peat Bog (formed by Histosol or other hydromorphic soils) covers a part of the area (40-60%). In this study, two soil types, creating two main hillslopes of the experimental catchment, form the dominant soil types (Podzol and Histosol) in the Šumava Mountains, Czechia. A modified HBV model was used for the estimation of the contribution of each soil type to common outflow and for the estimation of the water balance. According to previous research and field observations, dominant hydrological processes were described for each hillslope (soil). The model confirmed previous results concerning dominant preferential flows at Peat Bog hillslope and Podzol hillslope; moreover, it quantified a ratio between fast and slow flow in soils. At Peat Bog hillslope, the majority of outflow (67%) was formed from the upper soil layer (Acrotelm). In the mineral soil hillslope, a larger portion of runoff was generated from the lower soil layers or bedrock interface (61%). Peat Bog contributes to a stream mainly during rainfall events; however, the model showed also significant deep percolation at the Peat Bog hillslope and considerable contribution to baseflow during a year. Generally, more precipitation water was turned into runoff at the Peat Bog hillslope by the model, which was indicated by a lower rate of actual evapotranspiration (21% of precipitation), compared to 29% in the case of Podzol hillslope. If we consider land use changes in this locality in terms of expanding or reducing peat areas (draining, drains damming, droughts, etc.), this model could sufficiently estimate hydrological behaviour of local streams and thus, can be potentially used in hydrological planning by local authorities.

How to cite: Vlček, L., Šípek, V., Kofroňová, J., Kocum, J., Doležal, T., and Janský, B.: Understanding runoff formation in a basin with Peat Bog and Podzol hillslopes, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-20264, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-20264, 2020.