@article{fdi:010057109,
  title = {{T}owards prediction of suspended sediment yield from peak discharge in small erodible mountainous catchments (0.45-22 km(2)) of {F}rance, {M}exico and {S}pain},
  author = {{D}uvert, {C}. and {N}ord, {G}. and {G}ratiot, {N}icolas and {N}avratil, {O}. and {N}adal-{R}omero, {E}. and {M}athys, {N}. and {N}{\'e}mery, {J}. and {R}egues, {D}. and {G}arcia-{R}uiz, {J}. {M}. and {G}allart, {F}. and {E}steves, {M}ichel},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he erosion and transport of fine-grained sediment in small mountainous catchments involve complex processes occurring at different scales. {T}he suspended sediment yields ({SSY}s) delivered downstream are difficult to accurately measure and estimate because they result from the coupling of all these processes. {U}sing high frequency discharge and suspended sediment data collected in eight small mountainous catchments (0.45-22 km(2)) from four distinct regions, we studied the relationships between event-based {SSY} and a set of other variables. {I}n almost all the catchments, the event peak discharge ({Q}(max)) proved to be the best descriptor of {SSY}, and the relations were approximated by single power laws of the form {SSY} = alpha {Q}(max)(beta). {T}he beta exponents ranged between 0.9 and 1.9 across the catchments, while variability in alpha was much higher, with coefficients ranging between 25 and 5039. {T}he broad distribution of alpha was explained by a combination of site-specific physical factors, such as the percentage of degraded areas and hillslope gradient. {F}urther analysis of the factors responsible for data dispersion in each catchment was carried out. {S}easonality had a significant influence on variability; but overall, most of the scattering in the {SSY}-{Q}(max) regressions was explained by the short-lasting memory effects occurring between successive events (i.e. in-channel temporary storage and remobilization of sediment; antecedent moisture conditions). {T}he predictability of {SSY}-{Q}(max) models was also assessed. {S}imulations of {SSY} per event and of annual {SSY} were conducted by using the computed regressions and the measured {Q}(max). {E}stimates of {SSY} per event were very uncertain. {I}n contrast, annual {SSY} estimates based on the site-specific models were reasonably accurate in all the catchments, with interquartile ranges remaining in the +/- 50% error interval. {T}he prediction quality of {SSY}-{Q}(max) relations was partly attributed to the statistical compensation that likely occurred between extreme values over a year; but it also suggests that the complex processes occurring at the event scale were smoothed at the annual scale. {T}his {SSY}-{Q}(max) rating appears as a parsimonious predicting tool for roughly estimating {SSY} in small mountainous catchments. {H}owever, in its current form the technique needs further improvement as alpha and beta values need to be better constrained.},
  keywords = {{S}ediment transport ; {W}ater management ; {B}adlands ; {U}pland headwaters ; {S}tatistical analysis},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {H}ydrology},
  volume = {454},
  numero = {},
  pages = {42--55},
  ISSN = {0022-1694},
  year = {2012},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.05.048},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010057109},
}