Graphical tools based on Turc-Budyko plots to detect changes in catchment behaviour
Résumé
AbstractThis paper aims at revisiting the use of non-dimensional representations for catchment change and model robustness analysis. As well as being helpful for catchment classification according to hydroclimatic conditions, the Turc-Budyko representation enables visualization of temporal changes in these conditions and/or modification of the hydrological behaviour of the catchment. This brings a new perspective to hydrological analysis, different from the classical time series plots, which helps when interpreting catchment functioning with respect to hydroclimatic constraints. These tools do not require statistical analyses of observed series and are therefore very simple to implement. Four case studies are considered here to illustrate the use of the Q/P = f(P/Ep) graph. When combined with the inter-annual Turc-Mezentsev formula, this visual framework enables anticipation of potential difficulties for models based on the same hypotheses, solely using the analysis of observed data.