Topographic Wetness Index as a Proxy for Soil Moisture: The Importance of Flow-Routing Algorithm and Grid Resolution
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F67985939%3A_____%2F21%3A00547716" target="_blank" >RIV/67985939:_____/21:00547716 - isvavai.cz</a>
Alternative codes found
RIV/60460709:41320/21:89421
Result on the web
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2021WR029871" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1029/2021WR029871</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2021WR029871" target="_blank" >10.1029/2021WR029871</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Topographic Wetness Index as a Proxy for Soil Moisture: The Importance of Flow-Routing Algorithm and Grid Resolution
Original language description
The Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) is a commonly used proxy for soil moisture. The predictive capability of TWI is influenced by the flow-routing algorithm and the resolution of the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) that TWI is derived from. Here, we examine the predictive capability of TWI using 11 flow-routing algorithms at DEM resolutions 1–30 m. We analyze the relationship between TWI and field-quantified soil moisture using statistical modeling methods and 5,200 study plots with over 46 000 soil moisture measurements. In addition, we test the sensitivity of the flow-routing algorithms against vertical height errors in DEM at different resolutions. The results reveal that the overall predictive capability of TWI was modest. The highest r2 (23.7%) was reached using a multiple-flow-direction algorithm at 2 m resolution. In addition, the test of sensitivity against height errors revealed that the multiple-flow-direction algorithms were also more robust against DEM errors than single-flow-direction algorithms. The results provide field-evidence indicating that at its best TWI is a modest proxy for soil moisture and its predictive capability is influenced by the flow-routing algorithm and DEM resolution. Thus, we encourage careful evaluation of algorithms and resolutions when using TWI as a proxy for soil moisture.
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
10618 - Ecology
Result continuities
Project
—
Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2021
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
1944-7973
Volume of the periodical
57
Issue of the periodical within the volume
10
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
21
Pages from-to
e2021WR029871
UT code for WoS article
000711970600030
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85118260133