---
OA_type: closed access
_id: '22510'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: This study advances mechanistic interpretation of predictability challenges
    in hydro-geomorphology related to the role of soil moisture spatial variability.
    Using model formulations describing the physics of overland flow, variably saturated
    subsurface flow, and erosion and sediment transport, this study explores (1) why
    a basin with the same mean soil moisture can exhibit distinctly different spatial
    moisture distributions, (2) whether these varying distributions lead to non-unique
    hydro-geomorphic responses, and (3) what controls non-uniqueness in relation to
    the response type. Two sets of numerical experiments are carried out with two
    physically-based models, HYDRUS and tRIBS+VEGGIE+FEaST, and their outputs are
    analyzed with respect to pre-storm moisture state. The results demonstrate that
    distinct spatial moisture distributions for the same mean wetness arise because
    near-surface soil moisture dynamics exhibit different degrees of coupling with
    deeper-soil moisture and the process of subsurface drainage. The consequences
    of such variations are different depending on the type of hydrological response.
    Specifically, if the predominant runoff response is of infiltration excess type,
    the degree of non-uniqueness is related to the spatial distribution of near-surface
    moisture. If runoff is governed by subsurface stormflow, the extent of deep moisture
    contributing area and its “readiness to drain” determine the response characteristics.
    Because the processes of erosion and sediment transport superimpose additional
    controls over factors governing runoff generation and overland flow, non-uniqueness
    of the geomorphic response can be highly dampened or enhanced. The explanation
    is sediment composed by multi-size particles can alternate states of mobilization
    or surface shielding and the transient behavior is inherently intertwined with
    the availability of mobile particles. We conclude that complex nonlinear dynamics
    of hydro-geomorphic processes are inherent expressions of physical interactions.
    As complete knowledge of watershed properties, states, or forcings will always
    present the ultimate, if ever resolvable, challenge, deterministic predictability
    will remain handicapped. Coupling of uncertainty quantification methods and space-time
    physics-based approaches will need to evolve to facilitate mechanistic interpretations
    and informed practical applications.
article_processing_charge: No
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Jongho
  full_name: Kim, Jongho
  last_name: Kim
- first_name: M. Chase
  full_name: Dwelle, M. Chase
  last_name: Dwelle
- first_name: Stephanie K.
  full_name: Kampf, Stephanie K.
  last_name: Kampf
- first_name: Simone
  full_name: Fatichi, Simone
  id: cf8e546b-a9b0-11f0-a43b-aa89ed1b56d6
  last_name: Fatichi
- first_name: Valeriy Y.
  full_name: Ivanov, Valeriy Y.
  last_name: Ivanov
citation:
  ama: Kim J, Dwelle MC, Kampf SK, Fatichi S, Ivanov VY. On the non-uniqueness of
    the hydro-geomorphic responses in a zero-order catchment with respect to soil
    moisture. <i>Advances in Water Resources</i>. 2016;92:73-89. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.03.019">10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.03.019</a>
  apa: Kim, J., Dwelle, M. C., Kampf, S. K., Fatichi, S., &#38; Ivanov, V. Y. (2016).
    On the non-uniqueness of the hydro-geomorphic responses in a zero-order catchment
    with respect to soil moisture. <i>Advances in Water Resources</i>. Elsevier. <a
    href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.03.019">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.03.019</a>
  chicago: Kim, Jongho, M. Chase Dwelle, Stephanie K. Kampf, Simone Fatichi, and Valeriy
    Y. Ivanov. “On the Non-Uniqueness of the Hydro-Geomorphic Responses in a Zero-Order
    Catchment with Respect to Soil Moisture.” <i>Advances in Water Resources</i>.
    Elsevier, 2016. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.03.019">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.03.019</a>.
  ieee: J. Kim, M. C. Dwelle, S. K. Kampf, S. Fatichi, and V. Y. Ivanov, “On the non-uniqueness
    of the hydro-geomorphic responses in a zero-order catchment with respect to soil
    moisture,” <i>Advances in Water Resources</i>, vol. 92. Elsevier, pp. 73–89, 2016.
  ista: Kim J, Dwelle MC, Kampf SK, Fatichi S, Ivanov VY. 2016. On the non-uniqueness
    of the hydro-geomorphic responses in a zero-order catchment with respect to soil
    moisture. Advances in Water Resources. 92, 73–89.
  mla: Kim, Jongho, et al. “On the Non-Uniqueness of the Hydro-Geomorphic Responses
    in a Zero-Order Catchment with Respect to Soil Moisture.” <i>Advances in Water
    Resources</i>, vol. 92, Elsevier, 2016, pp. 73–89, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.03.019">10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.03.019</a>.
  short: J. Kim, M.C. Dwelle, S.K. Kampf, S. Fatichi, V.Y. Ivanov, Advances in Water
    Resources 92 (2016) 73–89.
das_tickbox: '1'
date_created: 2026-07-27T12:30:24Z
date_published: 2016-07-01T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2026-08-06T07:50:36Z
day: '01'
doi: 10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.03.019
extern: '1'
intvolume: '        92'
keyword:
- Soil moisture
- Spatial heterogeneity
- Hydrological response
- Geomorphic response
- Non-uniqueness
- Hydraulic connectivity
language:
- iso: eng
month: '07'
oa_version: None
page: 73-89
publication: Advances in Water Resources
publication_identifier:
  issn:
  - 0309-1708
publication_status: published
publisher: Elsevier
quality_controlled: '1'
scopus_import: '1'
status: public
title: On the non-uniqueness of the hydro-geomorphic responses in a zero-order catchment
  with respect to soil moisture
type: journal_article
user_id: 2DF688A6-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
volume: 92
year: '2016'
...