Articles | Volume 30, issue 17
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-5551-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-5551-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
02 Sep 2026
Research article |
| 02 Sep 2026
| 02 Sep 2026
Evaluating different roughness approaches and infiltration parameters for vegetation-influenced overland flow in hydrological model
Azam Masoodi
Department of Landscape Ecology and Resources Management, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Philipp Kraft
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Landscape Ecology and Resources Management, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Our research delves into how vegetation affects water flow over land during heavy rain and how accurately we can predict it. We tested various ways of estimating surface roughness in hydrological models, using data from simulated rainfall on hillslopes in Germany. Using advanced modeling techniques, we found that certain approaches, those considering vegetation, perform better in simulating overland flow dynamics.
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Our research delves into how vegetation affects water flow over land during heavy rain and how accurately we can predict it. We tested various ways of estimating surface roughness in hydrological models, using data from simulated rainfall on hillslopes in Germany. Using advanced modeling techniques, we found that certain approaches, those considering vegetation, perform better in simulating overland flow dynamics.
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Short summary
Vegetation affects surface runoff in several ways. Surface roughness is increased by stems and leaves, roots and their remnants enhance infiltration into the soil, and through evaporation, the soil water content changes at the beginning of a rainfall event. Our study investigates, how a simulation model is able to react to these effects. While roughness and infiltration are well covered, initial soil moisture is still an unsolved problem.
Vegetation affects surface runoff in several ways. Surface roughness is increased by stems and...
