Hikaru Komatsu, Tomonori Kume, Kyoichi Otsuki
Released: July 31, 2013

Sensitivity of annual runoff to interannual precipitation variations for forested catchments in Japan

Hikaru Komatsu1) 2), Tomonori Kume3), Kyoichi Otsuki4)

1) The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University
2) Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University
3) School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
4) Kasuya Research Forest, Kyushu University

This study examined interannual variations in runoff from forested catchments in Japan, corresponding to interannual variations in precipitation. We hypothesized that interannual variations in runoff are comparable to those in precipitation in Japan under the assumption of high annual precipitation (P) relative to annual potential evapotranspiration (Ep). We collated P and annual runoff (Q) data derived from 20 catchments in Japan and 37 catchments in other regions around the world (including Australia and the United States). We calculated a sensitivity index (s), which is defined by the slope of the relationship between P and Q, for each catchment. The majority of the data (70%) for Japan satisfied s ≥ 0.80. No data satisfied s < 0.40. These results contrast with those for other regions: only 35% of the data satisfied s ≥ 0.80 and there were several data satisfying s < 0.40. We also confirmed that high s values were observed for regions with high P relative to Ep and that P was higher than Ep for all catchments in Japan. Our results indicate that interannual variations in Q are generally comparable to those in P for forested catchments in Japan. [Full Text]

Edited and published by : Japan Society of Hydrology and Water Resources　Produced and listed by : Nakanishi Printing Co.,Ltd.(Vol. 4 (2010)) Gakujutsu-tosho Printing Co. Ltd.(Vol. 2 (2008) – Vol. 4 (2010))
Copyright (c) 2013 Japan Society of Hydrology and Water Resources