Evaluation of runoff response on the basis of a comparative paired research in mountain catchments with the different land use: Case study of the Blanice River, Czechia

Abstract

The paper evaluates the runoff response in two small mountain catchments on the basis of a comparative paired research in the headwater area of the Blanice River, south Bohemia. The predominantly grassy Zbytinský potok and forested Tetřívčí potok brooks represent the headwaters landscape of the eastern part of the Šumava Mountains. Differences in runoff response are observed on the principle of black box from the two points of view: long-term water balance characteristics and rainfall-runoff events. Despite the average lower runoff values, the forested Tetřívčí potok brook showed a more significant runoff response in most events, mainly in wet years, and the total higher variability of runoff. It has a significantly higher runoff during a dry period. The research is based on the own data obtained by continual monitoring of the water level, discharge and precipitation. The presented study wants to assess the differences in the behaviour of both hydrological systems, especially their response to a causal rainfall.