Scaling Problems in Hydrology (HOE - Scaling 3rd year)

01.01.2003 - 10.01.2007
Research funding project
Scaling is the transfer of information between different space-time scales. Downscaling relates to transposing information from large to small scales. Conversely, upscaling relates to transposing information from small to large scales. Both types of transposition are closely related to the notion of regionalisation where information is transposed between different locations without involving a change in scale. The starting point of this project is the notion of hydrologic scales which can be defined for processes, measurements and models. The project falls into three sections which represent different approaches to the issue of scale. The first approach is based on random fields to represent spatial hydrologic variability and the scaling behaviour. This is a descriptive approach, i.e. it does not explain the relevant processes but represents their combined effect in a lumped way. Based on assumptions of linearity, simple quasi-analytical relationships are derived for the most important scale effects. The second approach is based on deterministic concepts and represents an attempt to explain spatial hydrologic variability and scale effects. Hydrologic processes and their scale properties are examined by extensive data analyses. Also, similarity approaches are examined that are based on characteristic space and time scales. Some hydrologic scale transitions need to be moulded in a non-linear framework. This is the third approach examined in this project where descriptive and explanatory methods are combined. Here, the catchment structure of landscapes is quantified statistically, as are subgrid variability and effective parameters in simple spatial hydrologic models. The methods for representing scale transitions (upscaling, downscaling, regionalisation) derived in this project are evaluated based on extensive data of runoff dynamics and flood frequency in Austria at the regional scale. An important part of this project is the synopsis of the results of the individual approaches which is an essential prerequisite to better understand scaling problems in hydrology.

People

Project leader

Project personnel

Institute

Grant funds

  • Österr. Akademie der Wissenschaften (National) Austrian Academy of Sciences

Research focus

  • Environmental Monitoring and Climate Adaptation: 50%
  • Modeling and Simulation: 50%

Keywords

GermanEnglish
HydrologieHydrology
MessungMeasrument
Modellierungmodeling

External partner

  • Slovak University of Technology
  • University of Western Australia

Publications