Abstract.
This
comment
challenges
Gao
et
al.
(2023)’s
perspective
rejecting
the
role
of
soil
processes
in
hydrology.
We
argue
that
authors
present
a
false
dichotomy
between
soil-centric
and
ecosystem-centric
views.
These
two
views
hydrology
are
complementary
reflect
on
inherent
multiscale
complexity
where
dominate
at
certain
scales
but
other
may
become
important
catchment
scale.
recognize
need
for
new
scale
aware
framework
reconciles
interplay
small
with
emergent
behaviors
driven
by
vegetation,
topography
climate
large
scales.
Hydrology and earth system sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
28(19), P. 4477 - 4499
Published: Oct. 14, 2024
Abstract.
The
root
zone
is
a
vital
part
of
the
Earth
system
and
key
element
in
hydrology,
ecology,
agronomy,
land
surface
processes.
However,
its
definition
varies
across
disciplines,
creating
barriers
to
interdisciplinary
understanding.
Moreover,
characterizing
challenging
due
lack
consensus
on
definitions,
estimation
methods,
their
merits
limitations.
This
opinion
paper
provides
holistic
from
hydrology
perspective,
including
moisture
storage,
deficit,
storage
capacity.
We
demonstrate
that
plays
critical
role
biosphere,
pedosphere,
rhizosphere,
lithosphere,
atmosphere,
cryosphere
system.
underscore
limitations
traditional
reductionist
approach
modelling
this
complex
dynamic
advocate
for
shift
towards
holistic,
ecosystem-centred
approach.
argue
offers
more
systematic,
simple,
dynamic,
scalable,
observable
way
describe
predict
science.
Biogeosciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
21(7), P. 1801 - 1826
Published: April 11, 2024
Abstract.
Across
many
upland
environments,
soils
are
thin
and
plant
roots
extend
into
fractured
weathered
bedrock
where
moisture
nutrients
can
be
obtained.
Root
water
extraction
from
unsaturated
is
widespread
and,
in
explain
gradients
vegetation
community
composition,
transpiration,
sensitivity
to
climate.
Despite
increasing
recognition
of
its
importance,
the
“rock
moisture”
reservoir
rarely
incorporated
Earth
system
models.
Here,
we
address
this
weakness
a
widely
used
dynamic
global
model
(DGVM;
LPJ-GUESS).
First,
use
flux-tracking
deficit
approach
more
accurately
parameterize
plant-accessible
storage
capacity
across
contiguous
United
States,
which
critically
includes
below
depths
typically
prescribed
by
soil
databases.
Secondly,
exploit
field-based
knowledge
contrasting
plant-available
two
types
Northern
California
Coast
Ranges
as
detailed
case
study.
For
study
California,
climate
similar
at
areas,
but
site
with
thick
ample
rock
supports
temperate
mixed
broadleaf–needleleaf
evergreen
forest,
whereas
limited
an
oak
savanna.
The
distinct
biomes,
seasonality
magnitude
transpiration
primary
productivity,
baseflow
magnitudes
only
emerge
DGVM
when
new
simple
subsurface
structure
hydrology
scheme
parameterized
capacities
extending
beyond
bedrock.
updated
improve
annual
evapotranspiration
estimates
compared
satellite-derived
products,
particularly
seasonally
dry
regions.
Specifically,
allow
for
enhanced
through
season
that
better
matches
actual
patterns.
While
made
changes
both
hydrology,
most
important
impacts
on
performance
derive
capacity.
Our
findings
highlight
importance
explaining
predicting
function,
climates.
These
motivate
efforts
incorporate
vegetation,
climate,
landscape
evolution
Hydrology and earth system sciences,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
29(2), P. 465 - 483
Published: Jan. 23, 2025
Abstract.
The
Unsolved
Problems
in
Hydrology
(UPH)
initiative
has
emphasized
the
need
to
establish
networks
of
multi-decadal
hydrological
observatories
gain
a
deep
understanding
complex
hydrologic
processes
occurring
within
diverse
environmental
conditions.
already
existing
monitoring
infrastructures
have
provided
an
enormous
amount
hydrometeorological
data,
facilitating
detailed
insights
into
causal
mechanisms
processes,
testing
scientific
theories
and
hypotheses,
revelation
physical
laws
governing
catchment
behavior.
Yet,
programs
often
produced
limited
outcomes
due
intermittent
availability
financial
resources
substantial
efforts
required
operate
conduct
comparative
studies
advance
previous
findings.
Recently,
some
initiatives
emerged
that
aim
coordinate
data
acquisition
hypothesis
facilitate
efficient
cross-site
synthesis
To
this
end,
common
vision
practical
management
solutions
be
developed.
This
opinion
paper
provocatively
discusses
two
potential
endmembers
future
observatory
(HO)
network
based
on
given
hypothesized
community
budget:
comprehensive
set
moderately
instrumented
or,
alternatively,
small
number
highly
supersites.
A
sites
would
provide
broad
spatial
coverage
across
major
pedoclimatic
regions
by
supporting
lumped
response
(e.g.,
rainfall–runoff
relationship,
Budyko
analysis)
continental
landscapes.
However,
moderate
instrumentation
at
each
site
may
hamper
in-depth
processes.
In
contrast,
extensively
research
enable
community-based
experiments
unprecedented
manner,
thereby
deeper
complex,
non-linear
modulated
scale-dependent
feedback
multiscale
spatiotemporal
heterogeneity.
Lumping
proven
effective
strategy
other
geosciences,
e.g.,
vessels
oceanography
drilling
geology.
On
downside,
limitation
approach
is
few
catchments
will
not
representative
all
regions,
necessitating
consideration
generalization
issues.
discussion
relative
merits
limitations
these
visions
regarding
HOs
presented
build
consensus
optimal
path
for
address
UPH
coming
decades.
final
proposes
integrating
flexible
strategy.
Keywords:
network,
experimental
catchments,
synthesis,
vs.
exploratory
science,
unsolved
problems
hydrology,
societal
needs,
technology
advancements.
Abstract.
This
comment
challenges
Gao
et
al.
(2023)’s
perspective
rejecting
the
role
of
soil
processes
in
hydrology.
We
argue
that
authors
present
a
false
dichotomy
between
soil-centric
and
ecosystem-centric
views.
These
two
views
hydrology
are
complementary
reflect
on
inherent
multiscale
complexity
where
dominate
at
certain
scales
but
other
may
become
important
catchment
scale.
recognize
need
for
new
scale
aware
framework
reconciles
interplay
small
with
emergent
behaviors
driven
by
vegetation,
topography
climate
large
scales.
Hydrology and earth system sciences,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
27(24), P. 4409 - 4436
Published: Dec. 14, 2023
Abstract.
Climate
change
modifies
the
water
and
energy
fluxes
between
atmosphere
surface
in
mountainous
regions
such
as
Qinghai–Tibet
Plateau
(QTP),
which
has
shown
substantial
hydrological
changes
over
last
decades,
including
rapid
lake
level
variations.
The
ground
across
QTP
hosts
either
permafrost
or
is
seasonally
frozen,
and,
this
environment,
thermal
regime
influences
liquid
availability,
evaporation
runoff.
Consequently,
climate-induced
may
contribute
to
variations
levels,
but
validity
of
hypothesis
yet
be
established.
This
study
focuses
on
cryo-hydrology
catchment
Lake
Paiku
(southern
Tibet)
for
1980–2019
period.
We
process
ERA5
data
with
downscaling
clustering
tools
(TopoSCALE,
TopoSUB)
account
spatial
variability
climate
our
forcing
(Fiddes
Gruber,
2012,
2014).
use
a
distributed
setup
CryoGrid
community
model
(version
1.0)
quantify
thermo-hydrological
during
Forcing
simulation
outputs
are
validated
from
weather
station,
temperature
loggers
observations
Our
budget
reconstruction
shows
that
main
input
direct
precipitation
(310
mm
yr−1),
followed
by
glacier
runoff
(280
yr−1)
land
(180
yr−1).
However,
altogether
these
components
do
not
offset
(860
results
show
both
seasonal
frozen
have
warmed
(0.17
∘C
per
decade
2
m
deep),
increasing
availability
duration
thaw.
Correlations
annual
values
suggest
phenomena
promote
Yet,
warming
drives
strong
increase
subsurface
so
runoff/(evaporation
+
runoff)
ratio
increases
time.
likely
contributed
stabilizing
decrease
after
2010.
Summer
an
important
sink,
we
find
active-layer
deepening
only
where
limited.
presence
found
at
expense
runoff,
consistently
recent
studies
suggesting
shallow
active
layer
maintains
higher
contents
close
surface.
relationship
seems
dependent,
colder
wetter
produces
opposite
effect.
Although
present
was
performed
scale,
ambivalent
influence
help
understand
contrasting
observed
south
north
QTP,
opening
new
perspectives
future
investigations.
