Evaluation of sediment connectivity through physically-based erosion modeling of landscape factor at the event scale

Understanding erosion and sedimentation processes along the drainage network, from hillslopes to rivers reservoirs, is essential for water resources management river restoration. This work proposes a novel dynamic evaluation of landscape factor modeled runoff rates physically-based distributed hydrological modelling, estimate event-scale sediment connectivity. Four precipitation events moderate intensity were selected used model calibration. The results analyze temporal variability connectivity comparison with indices based on catchment relief or land-uses. Although headwater areas presented similar values all simulated events, progressive increase in connectivity, proportional magnitude event, was observed. index mainly controlled by parameters related flow (riverbed roughness, rill erodibility particle diameter) less land use vegetation cover (cover fraction interrill erodibility). features affecting functional caused variations between obtained agreed as factor. highlights important role structural represented topography. However, proposed methodology subject several sources uncertainty calibration, transport considered spatial distribution runoff. Furthermore, geomorphological threshold hillslope can also affect especially fluvial system. this highlight future challenges more understanding basins.