The hydrological function of upland swamps in eastern Australia: The role of geomorphic condition in regulating water storage and discharge

摘要: Abstract Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone (THPSS) are a type of wetland found in low-order streams the plateaus eastern Australia. They sediment and organic matter accumulation zones, which combined with climate high rainfall low evaporation function as water storage systems. Changes to geomorphic structure these systems via incision channelisation can have profound impacts their hydrological function. The aim this study was develop an understanding how changes alter function, measured variability swamp table levels discharge. We monitored discharges three intact channelised THPSS Blue Mountains between March 2015 June 2016. that swamps were largely stable over monitoring period. Water rose only events, returned quickly antecedent after rain, drawdown during dry periods not significant. In contrast, highly variable. almost all events declined significantly periods. Discharge also showed marked differences discharging 13 times more than swamps, even Channelised had flashier storm hydrographs swamps. These results implications for capacity act reservoirs headwaters catchments ability maintain base flow downstream times. important range other functions such carbon storage, emission exports, contaminant sorption, quality biodiversity, well overall fate under changing climate.