Welcome to our research group "Hydrology of
Alpine Catchments"
Alpine catchments are characterized by large
differences in altitude between catchment
borders and outlets. High relief energy
triggers morphodynamic processes forming a
topography with high small scale variability.
This results in strongly varying micro-climatic
conditions and soil/vegetation developments and
thus in locally highly differing runoff
processes. Due to altitude snow may occur
during a great deal of the year storing water.
The high amount of bedload during flood events
impedes discharge measurements. Besides Alpine
catchments are often characterized by large
areas with extensive or no land use and
aggravated accessibility.
Our research group uses experimental and
measuring as well as modelling techniques to
investigate Alpine catchments. We aim at
- identifying dominant runoff processes in
Alpine catchments,
- understanding how current system conditions
control the runoff reaction of Alpine
catchments,
- modelling the effect of Global Change on the
hydrological response of Alpine catchments.
