Watershed function validation

Knowledge graph centered on Watershed function validation with 50 nodes and 147 connections. Top connected: Atriplex canescens, groundwater storage dynamics, leaf water content, Crested Butte, carbon cycling.

Method synopsis

Validates identified zones using independent datasets of watershed functions including drought sensitivity derived from satellite NDVI timeseries and nitrogen export from streamflow chemistry. Tests whether zones capture meaningful functional differences.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 1 paper using this protocol.

Procedure as described in the canonical source

Steps below were extracted from the paper that introduces this protocol — Watershed zonation through hillslope clustering for tractably quantifying above-and below-ground watershed heterogeneity and functions (2022), Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Validate zones using watershed function data
   Evaluated zones using foresummer drought sensitivity map based on Landsat normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and river nitrogen export data. Drought sensitivity represented magnitude of peak plant productivity changes with respect to drought conditions. Computed annual discharge and nitrogen export from streamflow and chemistry data at sub-catchments.
   Quantities: Foresummer drought sensitivity based on linear regression of historical peak Landsat NDVI as function of Palmer drought severity index in June. Nitrogen export computed from streamflow and chemistry data collected in 2015, 2016, and 2017.Duration: Historical NDVI analysis used multiple years of Landsat data; nitrogen export used 3 years of data (2015-2017)Conditions: Drought sensitivity computed for primary growing season; nitrogen export during snowmelt and baseflow periods
   Equipment: Landsat satellite imagery, Palmer drought severity index data, Streamflow and chemistry measurement data

Typical Equipment

• Landsat satellite imagery
• Palmer drought severity index data
• Streamflow and chemistry measurement data

Output Measurements

• drought sensitivity maps
• nitrogen export rates
• zone-function relationships

Papers Using This Protocol (1)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used