ENVS3731 Ecohydrology

The exchanges of water between the atmosphere, vegetation and soil, are important in understanding vegetation growth, carbon fluxes, and water yield. These fluxes are closely related to and modified by human activities, and are sensitive to global climate change. This topic provides basic quantitative description and modelling of the distribution and movement of water on land surface, particularly in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, including evapotranspiration and coupled water and carbon processes. The knowledge and skills gained from the topic will be useful to understand and manage various land and water issues, such as dry-land salinity, groundwater recharge, ecosystem drought responses, carbon sequestration, and urban green infrastructures.

This topic aims to introduce an advanced knowledge of hydrology at the land-atmosphere interface.

1. Have a good understanding of hydrological processes on land surface including precipitation, infiltration, evapotranspiration, runoff, and soil storage and movement in soil and plants
2. Undertake basic measurements of water fluxes and states in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum
3. Undertake quantitative mapping of surface fluxes and calculate catchment water balances
4. Demonstrate problem-solving, critical-thinking and reasoning abilities