Evaluating Richards Equation and Infiltration Capacity Approaches in Mesoscale Hydrologic Modeling
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41330%2F25%3A102098" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41330/25:102098 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039625" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039625</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039625" target="_blank" >10.1029/2024WR039625</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Evaluating Richards Equation and Infiltration Capacity Approaches in Mesoscale Hydrologic Modeling
Original language description
This study compares two widely used approaches for modeling soil moisture (SM) infiltration in mesoscale hydrology: the one-dimensional Richards equation (1D RE), which governs vertical flux exchange but is nonlinear and computationally demanding, and the infiltration capacity (IC) scheme, which is simpler and restricts SM movement to the downward direction. A major challenge in implementing the RE is the estimation of effective parameters at the typical model resolution (hundreds to thousands of meters), as the equation was originally developed for finer scales. To address this, we conducted experiments using the mHM model with Multiscale Parameter Regionalization (MPR) to parameterize both RE and IC approaches. The RE parameterization relied on three distinct pedo-transfer functions (PTFs). Parameters were estimated across 201 basins in Germany and evaluated using streamflow data at multiple spatial resolutions, as well as in situ SM observations from 46 sites (0-25 cm) and 42 sites (25-60 cm and 0-60 cm). Results show that both mHM-IC and all mHM-RE variants perform comparably in streamflow prediction. The use of MPR enables the spatial transferability of PTF-based parameters. Owing to its two-way flux capability, the mHM-RE variant better captures SM dynamics, particularly in deeper soil layers. Although the IC scheme often leads to saturation at depth, it still provides strong performance in capturing SM anomalies. Overall, the study demonstrates that with appropriate parameterization, the RE approach can yield transferable parameters and robust simulations of both streamflow and soil moisture states.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10501 - Hydrology
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
ISSN
0043-1397
e-ISSN
0043-1397
Volume of the periodical
61
Issue of the periodical within the volume
JUL 30 2025
Country of publishing house
CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC
Number of pages
28
Pages from-to
1-28
UT code for WoS article
001540102800001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105012212499