Hillslope response under variable microclimate
Abstract
Solar radiation‐controlled microclimatic variation has been considered a major force on hillslope evolution via feedback among geomorphology, vegetation, soil and hydrology. In this study, we investigate the influence of solar radiation on hillslope dynamics on Santa Catalina Island, CA by comparing hillslope morphology and frequency–magnitude relationships of shallow landslides, rills and gullies on slopes receiving low annual solar radiation (LSR) and high annual solar radiation (HSR), which were found equivalent to north‐ and south‐facing slopes, respectively. LSR slopes on Santa Catalina Island were found more vegetated compared to HSR slopes. LiDAR elevation‐derived hillslope morphology showed LSR slopes steeper, rougher and more concave than HSR slopes. Similarly, frequency–magnitude plots showed larger relative frequency of high‐magnitude shallow landslides, rills and gullies on LSR slopes, and low‐magnitude shallow landslides, rills and gullies on HSR slopes. We argue that the morphology, mass movement and erosion characteristics of LSR and HSR slopes reflect the process–response of microclimate‐controlled variation in type and density of vegetation cover, soil physical properties – including moisture, texture, structure, infiltration and erodibility – and surface and subsurface hydrology. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jul 26, 2019
- Source ID
- 10.1002/esp.4686
Entities
People
- Craig Rasmussen
- Eric V. Mcdonald
- Netra R. Regmi
Organizations
- Army Research Office
- Desert Research Institute
- University of Arizona
- University of Oklahoma