Introduction to the Special Issue on Research and Observatory Catchments
| Authors: | Stephen D. Sebestyen, James B. Shanley, Theresa Blume, Jonathan M. Duncan, Julia Jones, Catalina Segura, M. Alisa. Mast |
| Year: | 2025 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.70069 |
| Source: | Hydrological Processes |
Abstract
Catchment studies are foundational to hydrological and biogeochemical process understanding that has informed resource management, policy development and societal well-being (Burt and McDonnell 2015; Likens 2021; Tetzlaff et al. 2017). These place-based studies with sustained monitoring have shaped understanding of fundamental ecosystem processes and consequences of environmental change on ecosystems (Campbell et al. 2022; Hewlett, Lull, and Reinhart 1969; Jones et al. 2012; Latron and Lana-Renault 2018; Lovett et al. 2007; McNamara et al. 2018).
The special issue, Research and Observatory Catchments: The Legacy and the Future, originates from a groundswell of interest and community spirit that reflects the commitment and passion of the catchment community for sustaining our science, and its collective conviction on the value and importance of catchment, critical zone and ecosystem science.
The Special Issue grew out of efforts to engage the community, highlight catchment studies and recognize the rich collective legacies of catchment science. To frame the Special Issue, we broadly defined research and observatory catchments as sustained research at particular locations based on research questions around a catchment study design, inclusive of empirical, experimental and modelling studies. In general, catchment studies feature concentrated, complementary and diverse measurements repeated over time of ecosystem properties including soils, biology, weather, atmospheric deposition, physical processes, chemistry, isotopes, sediments and water budget components. Regardless of particular measurements or site-specific research questions, the studies occur at a scale that is meaningful to process understanding, resource management, policy, education, outreach and public awareness of the environment and environmental problems.