Data from: Hydrologic controls on river network connectivity

This study proposes a probabilistic approach for the quantitative
assessment of reach- and network-scale hydrological connectivity as
dictated by river flow space-time variability. Spatial dynamics of daily
streamflows are estimated based on climatic and morphological features of
the contributing catchment, integrating a physically based approach that
accounts for the stochasticity of rainfall with a water balance framework
and a geomorphic recession flow analysis. Ecologically meaningful minimum
stage thresholds are used to evaluate the connectivity of individual
stream reaches, and other relevant network-scale connectivity metrics. The
framework allows a quantitative description of the main hydrological
causes and the ecological consequences of water depth dynamics experienced
by river networks. The analysis shows that the spatial variability of
local-scale hydrological connectivity is strongly affected by the spatial
and temporal distribution of climatic variables. Depending on the
underlying climatic settings and the critical stage threshold, loss of
connectivity can be observed in the headwaters or along the main channel,
thereby originating a fragmented river network. The proposed approach
provides important clues for understanding the effect of climate on the
ecological function of river corridors.

本研究提出一种概率方法，用于定量评估由河川径流时空变异性主导的河段尺度与河网尺度水文连通性（hydrological connectivity）。研究基于汇流流域的气候与地貌特征估算日径流量的空间动态，并整合了考虑降雨随机性的物理过程驱动方法、水量平衡框架与地貌退水流量分析。本研究采用具备生态学意义的最低水位阈值，对单个河段及其他相关河网尺度连通性指标的连通性开展评估。该框架可定量描述河网所经历的水深动态的核心水文成因与生态效应。分析结果表明，局地尺度水文连通性的空间变异性受气候变量的时空分布显著影响。依据气候背景条件与临界水位阈值的差异，连通性丧失可发生在河源区或主河道沿线，进而形成破碎化河网。本研究所提出的方法为理解气候对河流廊道生态功能的影响提供了重要线索。