Runoff thresholds, runoff generation mechanisms, and catchment characteristics: a global synthesis

Cui, Zhen; Tian, Fuqiang

doi:10.5194/hess-30-5281-2026

Articles | Volume 30, issue 16

https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-5281-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-5281-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 30, issue 16

Research article

|

20 Aug 2026

Research article |

| 20 Aug 2026

Runoff thresholds, runoff generation mechanisms, and catchment characteristics: a global synthesis

Zhen Cui and Fuqiang Tian

Supplement

https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-5281-2026-supplement

Data sets

Global Synthesis Dataset of Storm Runoff Thresholds, Runoff Generation Mechanisms, and Catchment Characteristics Zhen Cui https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21915052

Short summary

This study synthesizes storm-runoff thresholds from 138 catchments worldwide to clarify why threshold behavior differs across environments. We show that runoff thresholds are often shaped by catchment wetness, storage, soils, geology, and flow-path connectivity, not rainfall alone. The results support a connectivity-based framework for interpreting runoff generation across diverse landscapes.