Looking beyond a purely scientific discussion of hydrology, the authors of this volume emphasize that mankind needs to recognize the urgency of the situation in which our water is threatened. Providing a comprehensive overview of the broad and complex field of hydrology, the book explores the water cycle, its various components, and its interactions with the environment in which it develops and interacts. Through this work, the authors endeavor to contribute to the sustainable development of our society and our environment.
General Introduction
Historical approach
The modern concept of water
Organizations involved with water
Legal aspects: the case of Switzerland
Objectives and organization of this book
The Hydrological Cycle and the Water Balance
Introduction
Water, the element
Detailed analysis
The distribution of water
Related cycles
Conclusions
The Watershed and its Characteristics
Definitions
Topographic watershed and effective watershed
Hydrological behaviour
Physiographic characteristics of a watershed
Agro-pedo-geological characteristics
Digital information and numerical models
Conclusions
Precipitation
Basic definitions
Classification of clouds
Mechanisms of precipitation formation
Precipitation regimes
Measuring precipitation
Observation networks and publication of data
Analysis of point measurements
Regional evaluation of precipitation
Conclusions
Evaporation and Interception
Introduction
Evaporation
Evapotranspiration from soil covered by vegetation
Interception
Conclusions
Flows and Infiltration
Introduction
Infiltration
Flows
The concept of sediment transport
Conclusions
Water Storage and Reserves
Introduction
Surface water storage
Groundwater storage
Storage of water in its solid form
Conclusions
Hydrological Measurement
Measuring precipitation
Errors of measurement
Measuring evaporation, transpiration and evapotranspiration
Measuring flow
Measuring sediment transport in rivers
Measuring sediment transport in suspension
Measuring infiltration
Measuring soil moisture
Conclusions
Data Handling and Organization
Data organization
Error identification and measurement correction
Introduction to statistical tests
Conclusions
Hydrological Regimes
Introduction
Simple regime
Mixed regime
Complex regime
Hydrological regimes in Switzerland
Conclusions
Hydrological Processes and Responses
Introduction
General information
Direct precipitation on the surface of a waterway
Groundwater flow
Overland flow
Sub surface flow
Flow due to snowmelt
Hydrological response of the watershed: from processes to flow
Conclusions
General conclusions
Biography
Musy\, Andre; Higy\, Christophe