Vegetation is the most important control on catchment processes.

Vegetation is a main control on infiltration and therefore a main control on the

dominance of catchment processes that involve the movement of water through
a catchment. By intercepting rainfall, vegetation can often reduce the rate that
rainfall reaches the soil by 40% (Anderson and Burt 1985). This means that the
infiltration capacity of the soil is less likely to be exceeded, therefore decreasing
surface run-off by causing a greater percentage of the rain that falls to arrive at
the river by throughflow. However the rainfall intercepability of vegetation
depends on the type of vegetation, as well as the density. For example Waugh
(2002) estimates that forests intercept 70% more rainfall than arable land in
catchments basement demonstrating how the importance of vegetation control
on infiltration via interception of rainfall varies spatially.

Furthermore the intensity of rainfall acts as another factor affecting the
importance of vegetation as a control on catchment processes. Contreras et al
(2011) have depicted a negative relationship between runoff coefficient and
vegetation cover (R2 = 0.36, p<0.01) in catchments in South East Spain. Over a
one and a half period of monitoring infiltration and rainfall they have conceded
that 41% of the total rainfall was infiltrated, however 94% of rainfall was
infiltration during the single largest storm rainfall event. In terms of vegetation
presenting the most significant control on infiltration this is not what wed
expect to see. During storm events the intensity of rainfall increases which
greatly reduces the ability of rainfall to control the production of surface runoff,
therefore infiltration capacity is reached and the percentage of infiltration during
the event will show a decrease. The vegetation that grew within the area studied
was mostly grassland therefore it is unlikely that it would have been able to
maintain control over infiltration during an intensive rainfall period. This
suggests that another catchment feature was controlling the rate of infiltration.
The geology of this area was Karst limestone, a permeable rock that has a high
infiltration capacity which suggest in the arid environment the geology was a
greater control on infiltration than vegetation.



This demonstrates the significant role that vegetation can have on the
dominance of catchment processes. Furthermore a percentage of the rainfall
intercepted will be lost through evaporation therefore never becoming part of
either overland or ground flows. Waugh (2002) estimates that tropical
rainforests intercept around 80% of rainfall and a probable 30% of this is lost
through evaporation.


will evaporation arable lands may intercept only 10%.
Intercept varies Spatially p62 (Waugh 2002

Hortons Theory of hillslope hydrology suggests that storm runoff is produced
only when infiltration capacity of the soils are reached therefore causing ieIn the
context of this theory vegetation can be seen to act as the most important control
on overland flow as it implies the whole catchment will contribute to excess over
land flow therefore where ever vegetation exists within the catchment the
process with be lessened. as it does not take into account partial contributing
area concept (Betson 1964).

Brandt (1989) commented that raindrop size distribution is not particularly
sensitive to leaf shape size or texture whilst reviewing results from a study
carried on 5 different types of vegetation produce a mean drop size
distribution of between 4.52 and 4.95mm thus implying

Hortonian theory of hillslope hydrology suggested that storm runoff was only


Estimates such that tropical rainforests intercept up to 80%, of rainfall, the likelihood
is that 30% will evaporation arable lands may intercept only 10%.
Intercept varies Spatially p62 (Waugh 2002)

.








Subsequently the presence of vegetation is a main control on the likelihood of
infiltration excess overland flow as it reduces the rate of infiltration by reducing
the potential for the rate of precipitation to exceed the rate of infiltrate and cause
the soil to reach infiltration capacity (Anderson and Burt 1985). This is
supported by Hortons Theory of hillslope hydrology that suggests that storm
runoff is produced only when infiltration capacity of the soils was reached
therefore causing ieIn the context of this theory vegetation can be seen to act as
the most important control on overland flow as it implies the whole catchment
will contribute to excess over land flow therefore where ever vegetation exists
within the catchment the process with be lessened. as it does not take into
account partial contributing area concept (Betson 1964).


As this diagram demonstrates the ratio of interception against annual rain
depends on the type of vegetation. The less rain that falls annually the higher
the interception ratio therefore considering the difference in annual
rainfall is critical for assessing the difference in rainfall interception induced by
forest properties.








The importance on vegetation as a control on infiltration will vary spatially as a
result of geology and soil types.

Soil compaction causes the reorientation of soil particles and subsequently
reduces the porosity of the soil. As a result the water holding capacity of the soil
is reduced and the rate at which infiltration can occur is reduced.

Zonal factors produce regional macroclimates which shape favourable or
unfavourable conditions for animals and plants in the region.
Azonal factors
Moisture availability is in part determined by local rainfall and has a significant
impact on catchment processes. It is dependent upon the potential effectiveness
of rainfall in comparison with losses of water via evapotranspiration and
accessibility of river or groundwater.
Climate arid v cool impact on importance of vegetation