@article{MacdonaldMerzGuseetal.2022, author = {Macdonald, Elena and Merz, Bruno and Guse, Bj{\"o}rn and Wietzke, Luzie and Ullrich, Sophie and Kemter, Matthias and Ahrens, Bodo and Vorogushyn, Sergiy}, title = {Event and catchment controls of heavy tail behavior of floods}, series = {Water resources research}, volume = {58}, journal = {Water resources research}, number = {6}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0043-1397}, doi = {10.1029/2021WR031260}, pages = {25}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In some catchments, the distribution of annual maximum streamflow shows heavy tail behavior, meaning the occurrence probability of extreme events is higher than if the upper tail decayed exponentially. Neglecting heavy tail behavior can lead to an underestimation of the likelihood of extreme floods and the associated risk. Partly contradictory results regarding the controls of heavy tail behavior exist in the literature and the knowledge is still very dispersed and limited. To better understand the drivers, we analyze the upper tail behavior and its controls for 480 catchments in Germany and Austria over a period of more than 50 years. The catchments span from quickly reacting mountain catchments to large lowland catchments, allowing for general conclusions. We compile a wide range of event and catchment characteristics and investigate their association with an indicator of the tail heaviness of flood distributions, namely the shape parameter of the GEV distribution. Following univariate analyses of these characteristics, along with an evaluation of different aggregations of event characteristics, multiple linear regression models, as well as random forests, are constructed. A novel slope indicator, which represents the relation between the return period of flood peaks and event characteristics, captures the controls of heavy tails best. Variables describing the catchment response are found to dominate the heavy tail behavior, followed by event precipitation, flood seasonality, and catchment size. The pre-event moisture state in a catchment has no relevant impact on the tail heaviness even though it does influence flood magnitudes.}, language = {en} } @misc{JingKumarHesseetal.2020, author = {Jing, Miao and Kumar, Rohini and Heße, Falk and Thober, Stephan and Rakovec, Oldrich and Samaniego, Luis and Attinger, Sabine}, title = {Assessing the response of groundwater quantity and travel time distribution to 1.5, 2, and 3 °C global warming in a mesoscale central German basin}, series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {3}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-50934}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-509343}, pages = {18}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Groundwater is the biggest single source of high-quality freshwater worldwide, which is also continuously threatened by the changing climate. In this paper, we investigate the response of the regional groundwater system to climate change under three global warming levels (1.5, 2, and 3 ∘C) in a central German basin (N{\"a}gelstedt). This investigation is conducted by deploying an integrated modeling workflow that consists of a mesoscale hydrologic model (mHM) and a fully distributed groundwater model, OpenGeoSys (OGS). mHM is forced with climate simulations of five general circulation models under three representative concentration pathways. The diffuse recharges estimated by mHM are used as boundary forcings to the OGS groundwater model to compute changes in groundwater levels and travel time distributions. Simulation results indicate that groundwater recharges and levels are expected to increase slightly under future climate scenarios. Meanwhile, the mean travel time is expected to decrease compared to the historical average. However, the ensemble simulations do not all agree on the sign of relative change. Changes in mean travel time exhibit a larger variability than those in groundwater levels. The ensemble simulations do not show a systematic relationship between the projected change (in both groundwater levels and travel times) and the warming level, but they indicate an increased variability in projected changes with adjusting the enhanced warming level from 1.5 to 3 ∘C. Correspondingly, it is highly recommended to restrain the trend of global warming.}, language = {en} } @article{JingKumarHesseetal.2020, author = {Jing, Miao and Kumar, Rohini and Heße, Falk and Thober, Stephan and Rakovec, Oldrich and Samaniego, Luis and Attinger, Sabine}, title = {Assessing the response of groundwater quantity and travel time distribution to 1.5, 2, and 3 °C global warming in a mesoscale central German basin}, series = {Hydrology and Earth System Sciences}, volume = {24}, journal = {Hydrology and Earth System Sciences}, number = {3}, publisher = {Copernicus Publ.}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1607-7938}, doi = {10.5194/hess-24-1511-2020}, pages = {1511 -- 1526}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Groundwater is the biggest single source of high-quality freshwater worldwide, which is also continuously threatened by the changing climate. In this paper, we investigate the response of the regional groundwater system to climate change under three global warming levels (1.5, 2, and 3 ∘C) in a central German basin (N{\"a}gelstedt). This investigation is conducted by deploying an integrated modeling workflow that consists of a mesoscale hydrologic model (mHM) and a fully distributed groundwater model, OpenGeoSys (OGS). mHM is forced with climate simulations of five general circulation models under three representative concentration pathways. The diffuse recharges estimated by mHM are used as boundary forcings to the OGS groundwater model to compute changes in groundwater levels and travel time distributions. Simulation results indicate that groundwater recharges and levels are expected to increase slightly under future climate scenarios. Meanwhile, the mean travel time is expected to decrease compared to the historical average. However, the ensemble simulations do not all agree on the sign of relative change. Changes in mean travel time exhibit a larger variability than those in groundwater levels. The ensemble simulations do not show a systematic relationship between the projected change (in both groundwater levels and travel times) and the warming level, but they indicate an increased variability in projected changes with adjusting the enhanced warming level from 1.5 to 3 ∘C. Correspondingly, it is highly recommended to restrain the trend of global warming.}, language = {en} } @article{TolorzaMohrCarretieretal.2019, author = {Tolorza, Violeta and Mohr, Christian Heinrich and Carretier, Sebastien and Serey, Amador and Sepulveda, Sergio A. and Tapia, Joseline and Pinto, Luisa}, title = {Suspended sediments in chilean rivers reveal low postseismic erosion after the maule earthquake (Mw 8.8) during a severe drought}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Earth surface}, volume = {124}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Earth surface}, number = {6}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9003}, doi = {10.1029/2018JF004766}, pages = {1378 -- 1397}, year = {2019}, abstract = {We address the question of whether all large-magnitude earthquakes produce an erosion peak in the subaerial components of fluvial catchments. We evaluate the sediment flux response to the Maule earthquake in the Chilean Andes (Mw 8.8) using daily suspended sediment records from 31 river gauges. The catchments cover drainage areas of 350 to around 10,000 km(2), including a wide range of topographic slopes and vegetation cover of the Andean western flank. We compare the 3- to 8-year postseismic record of sediment flux to each of the following preseismic periods: (1) all preseismic data, (2) a 3-year period prior to the seismic event, and (3) the driest preseismic periods, as drought conditions prevailed in the postseismic period. Following the earthquake, no increases in suspended sediment flux were observed for moderate to high percentiles of the streamflow distribution (mean, median, and >= 75th percentile). However, more than half of the examined stations showed increased sediment flux during baseflow. By using a Random Forest approach, we evaluate the contributions of seismic intensities, peak ground accelerations, co-seismic landslides, hydroclimatic conditions, topography, lithology, and land cover to explain the observed changes in suspended sediment concentration and fluxes. We find that the best predictors are hillslope gradient, low-vegetation cover, and changes in streamflow discharge. This finding suggests a combined first-order control of topography, land cover, and hydrology on the catchment-wide erosion response. We infer a reduced sediment connectivity due to the postseismic drought, which increased the residence time of sediment detached and remobilized following the Maule earthquake.}, language = {en} } @misc{SkinnerCoulthardSchwanghartetal.2018, author = {Skinner, Christopher J. and Coulthard, Tom J. and Schwanghart, Wolfgang and Van De Wiel, Marco J. and Hancock, Greg}, title = {Global sensitivity analysis of parameter uncertainty in landscape evolution models}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {1084}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-46801}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-468013}, pages = {4873 -- 4888}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The evaluation and verification of landscape evolution models (LEMs) has long been limited by a lack of suitable observational data and statistical measures which can fully capture the complexity of landscape changes. This lack of data limits the use of objective function based evaluation prolific in other modelling fields, and restricts the application of sensitivity analyses in the models and the consequent assessment of model uncertainties. To overcome this deficiency, a novel model function approach has been developed, with each model function representing an aspect of model behaviour, which allows for the application of sensitivity analyses. The model function approach is used to assess the relative sensitivity of the CAESAR-Lisflood LEM to a set of model parameters by applying the Morris method sensitivity analysis for two contrasting catchments. The test revealed that the model was most sensitive to the choice of the sediment transport formula for both catchments, and that each parameter influenced model behaviours differently, with model functions relating to internal geomorphic changes responding in a different way to those relating to the sediment yields from the catchment outlet. The model functions proved useful for providing a way of evaluating the sensitivity of LEMs in the absence of data and methods for an objective function approach.}, language = {en} } @misc{MetinDungSchroeteretal.2018, author = {Metin, Ayse Duha and Dung, Nguyen Viet and Schr{\"o}ter, Kai and Guse, Bj{\"o}rn and Apel, Heiko and Kreibich, Heidi and Vorogushyn, Sergiy and Merz, Bruno}, title = {How do changes along the risk chain affect flood risk?}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {1067}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-46879}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-468790}, pages = {22}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Flood risk is impacted by a range of physical and socio-economic processes. Hence, the quantification of flood risk ideally considers the complete flood risk chain, from atmospheric processes through catchment and river system processes to damage mechanisms in the affected areas. Although it is generally accepted that a multitude of changes along the risk chain can occur and impact flood risk, there is a lack of knowledge of how and to what extent changes in influencing factors propagate through the chain and finally affect flood risk. To fill this gap, we present a comprehensive sensitivity analysis which considers changes in all risk components, i.e. changes in climate, catchment, river system, land use, assets, and vulnerability. The application of this framework to the mesoscale Mulde catchment in Germany shows that flood risk can vary dramatically as a consequence of plausible change scenarios. It further reveals that components that have not received much attention, such as changes in dike systems or in vulnerability, may outweigh changes in often investigated components, such as climate. Although the specific results are conditional on the case study area and the selected assumptions, they emphasize the need for a broader consideration of potential drivers of change in a comprehensive way. Hence, our approach contributes to a better understanding of how the different risk components influence the overall flood risk.}, language = {en} } @misc{JingHesseKumaretal.2018, author = {Jing, Miao and Heße, Falk and Kumar, Rohini and Wang, Wenqing and Fischer, Thomas and Walther, Marc and Zink, Matthias and Zech, Alraune and Samaniego, Luis and Kolditz, Olaf and Attinger, Sabine}, title = {Improved regional-scale groundwater representation by the coupling of the mesoscale Hydrologic Model (mHM v5.7) to the groundwater model OpenGeoSys (OGS)}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {851}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-42703}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-427030}, pages = {1989 -- 2007}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Most large-scale hydrologic models fall short in reproducing groundwater head dynamics and simulating transport process due to their oversimplified representation of groundwater flow. In this study, we aim to extend the applicability of the mesoscale Hydrologic Model (mHM v5.7) to subsurface hydrology by coupling it with the porous media simulator OpenGeoSys (OGS). The two models are one-way coupled through model interfaces GIS2FEM and RIV2FEM, by which the grid-based fluxes of groundwater recharge and the river-groundwater exchange generated by mHM are converted to fixed-flux boundary conditions of the groundwater model OGS. Specifically, the grid-based vertical reservoirs in mHM are completely preserved for the estimation of land-surface fluxes, while OGS acts as a plug-in to the original mHM modeling framework for groundwater flow and transport modeling. The applicability of the coupled model (mHM-OGS v1.0) is evaluated by a case study in the central European mesoscale river basin - Nagelstedt. Different time steps, i.e., daily in mHM and monthly in OGS, are used to account for fast surface flow and slow groundwater flow. Model calibration is conducted following a two-step procedure using discharge for mHM and long-term mean of groundwater head measurements for OGS. Based on the model summary statistics, namely the Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE), the mean absolute error (MAE), and the interquartile range error (QRE), the coupled model is able to satisfactorily represent the dynamics of discharge and groundwater heads at several locations across the study basin. Our exemplary calculations show that the one-way coupled model can take advantage of the spatially explicit modeling capabilities of surface and groundwater hydrologic models and provide an adequate representation of the spatiotemporal behaviors of groundwater storage and heads, thus making it a valuable tool for addressing water resources and management problems.}, language = {en} } @misc{AngermannJackischAllroggenetal.2017, author = {Angermann, Lisa and Jackisch, Conrad and Allroggen, Niklas and Sprenger, Matthias and Zehe, Erwin and Tronicke, Jens and Weiler, Markus and Blume, Theresa}, title = {Form and function in hillslope hydrology}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {658}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-41916}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-419161}, pages = {22}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The phrase form and function was established in architecture and biology and refers to the idea that form and functionality are closely correlated, influence each other, and co-evolve. We suggest transferring this idea to hydrological systems to separate and analyze their two main characteristics: their form, which is equivalent to the spatial structure and static properties, and their function, equivalent to internal responses and hydrological behavior. While this approach is not particularly new to hydrological field research, we want to employ this concept to explicitly pursue the question of what information is most advantageous to understand a hydrological system. We applied this concept to subsurface flow within a hillslope, with a methodological focus on function: we conducted observations during a natural storm event and followed this with a hillslope-scale irrigation experiment. The results are used to infer hydrological processes of the monitored system. Based on these findings, the explanatory power and conclusiveness of the data are discussed. The measurements included basic hydrological monitoring methods, like piezometers, soil moisture, and discharge measurements. These were accompanied by isotope sampling and a novel application of 2-D time-lapse GPR (ground-penetrating radar). The main finding regarding the processes in the hillslope was that preferential flow paths were established quickly, despite unsaturated conditions. These flow paths also caused a detectable signal in the catchment response following a natural rainfall event, showing that these processes are relevant also at the catchment scale. Thus, we conclude that response observations (dynamics and patterns, i.e., indicators of function) were well suited to describing processes at the observational scale. Especially the use of 2-D time-lapse GPR measurements, providing detailed subsurface response patterns, as well as the combination of stream-centered and hillslope-centered approaches, allowed us to link processes and put them in a larger context. Transfer to other scales beyond observational scale and generalizations, however, rely on the knowledge of structures (form) and remain speculative. The complementary approach with a methodological focus on form (i.e., structure exploration) is presented and discussed in the companion paper by Jackisch et al. (2017).}, language = {en} } @article{MohrCoppusIroumeetal.2013, author = {Mohr, Christian Heinrich and Coppus, Ruben and Iroume, Andres and Huber, Anton and Bronstert, Axel}, title = {Runoff generation and soil erosion processes after clear cutting}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Earth surface}, volume = {118}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Earth surface}, number = {2}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9003}, doi = {10.1002/jgrf.20047}, pages = {814 -- 831}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Timber harvesting by clear cutting is known to impose environmental impacts, including severe disturbance of the soil hydraulic properties which intensify the frequency and magnitude of surface runoff and soil erosion. However, it remains unanswered if harvest areas act as sources or sinks for runoff and soil erosion and whether such behavior operates in a steady state or evolves through time. For this purpose, 92 small-scale rainfall simulations of different intensities were carried out under pine plantation conditions and on two clear-cut harvest areas of different age. Nonparametrical Random Forest statistical models were set up to quantify the impact of environmental variables on the hydrological and erosion response. Regardless of the applied rainfall intensity, runoff always initiated first and yielded most under plantation cover. Counter to expectations, infiltration rates increased after logging activities. Once a threshold rainfall intensity of 20mm/h was exceeded, the younger harvest area started to act as a source for both runoff and erosion after connectivity was established, whereas it remained a sink under lower applied rainfall intensities. The results suggest that the impact of microtopography on surface runoff connectivity and water-repellent properties of the topsoil act as first-order controls for the hydrological and erosion processes in such environments. Fast rainfall-runoff response, sediment-discharge-hystereses, and enhanced postlogging groundwater recharge at catchment scale support our interpretation. At the end, we show the need to account for nonstationary hydrological and erosional behavior of harvest areas, a fact previously unappreciated in predictive models.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Graeff2011, author = {Gr{\"a}ff, Thomas}, title = {Soil moisture dynamics and soil moisture controlled runoff processes at different spatial scales : from observation to modelling}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-54470}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Soil moisture is a key state variable that controls runoff formation, infiltration and partitioning of radiation into latent and sensible heat. However, the experimental characterisation of near surface soil moisture patterns and their controls on runoff formation remains a challenge. This subject was one aspect of the BMBF-funded OPAQUE project (operational discharge and flooding predictions in head catchments). As part of that project the focus of this dissertation is on: (1) testing the methodology and feasibility of the Spatial TDR technology in producing soil moisture profiles along TDR probes, including an inversion technique of the recorded signal in heterogeneous field soils, (2) the analysis of spatial variability and temporal dynamics of soil moisture at the field scale including field experiments and hydrological modelling, (3) the application of models of different complexity for understanding soil moisture dynamics and its importance for runoff generation as well as for improving the prediction of runoff volumes. To fulfil objective 1, several laboratory experiments were conducted to understand the influence of probe rod geometry and heterogeneities in the sampling volume under different wetness conditions. This includes a detailed analysis on how these error sources affect retrieval of soil moisture profiles in soils. Concerning objective 2 a sampling strategy of two TDR clusters installed in the head water of the Wilde Weißeritz catchment (Eastern Ore Mountains, Germany) was used to investigate how well "the catchment state" can be characterised by means of distributed soil moisture data observed at the field scale. A grassland site and a forested site both located on gentle slopes were instrumented with two Spatial TDR clusters that consist of up to 39 TDR probes. Process understanding was gained by modelling the interaction of evapotranspiration and soil moisture with the hydrological process model CATFLOW. A field scale irrigation experiment was carried out to investigate near subsurface processes at the hillslope scale. The interactions of soil moisture and runoff formation were analysed using discharge data from three nested catchments: the Becherbach with a size of 2 km², the Rehefeld catchment (17 km²) and the superordinate Ammelsdorf catchment (49 km²). Statistical analyses including observations of pre-event runoff, soil moisture and different rainfall characteristics were employed to predict stream flow volume. On the different scales a strong correlation between the average soil moisture and the runoff coefficients of rainfall-runoff events could be found, which almost explains equivalent variability as the pre-event runoff. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between surface soil moisture and subsurface wetness with a hysteretic behaviour between runoff soil moisture. To fulfil objective 3 these findings were used in a generalised linear model (GLM) analysis which combines state variables describing the catchments antecedent wetness and variables describing the meteorological forcing in order to predict event runoff coefficients. GLM results were compared to simulations with the catchment model WaSiM ETH. Hereby were the model results of the GLMs always better than the simulations with WaSiM ETH. The GLM analysis indicated that the proposed sampling strategy of clustering TDR probes in typical functional units is a promising technique to explore soil moisture controls on runoff generation and can be an important link between the scales. Long term monitoring of such sites could yield valuable information for flood warning and forecasting by identifying critical soil moisture conditions for the former and providing a better representation of the initial moisture conditions for the latter.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wriedt2004, author = {Wriedt, Gunter}, title = {Modelling of nitrogen transport and turnover during soil and groundwater passage in a small lowland catchment of Northern Germany}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001307}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Stoffumsatzreaktionen und hydraulische Prozesse im Boden und Grundwasser k{\"o}nnen in Tieflandeinzugsgebieten zu einer Nitratretention f{\"u}hren. Die Untersuchung dieser Prozesse in Raum und Zeit kann mit Hilfe geeigneter Modelle erfolgen. Ziele dieser Arbeit sind: i) die Entwicklung eines geeigneten Modellansatzes durch Kombination von Teilmodellen zur Simulation des N-Transportes im Boden und Grundwasser von Tieflandeinzugsgebieten und ii) die Untersuchung von Wechselwirkungen zwischen Gebietseigenschaften und N-Transport unter besonderer Ber{\"u}cksichtigung der potentiellen N-Zufuhr in die Oberfl{\"a}chengew{\"a}sser. Der Modellansatz basiert auf der Kombination verschiedener Teilmodelle: das Bodenwasser- und -stickstoffmodell mRISK-N, das Grundwassermodell MODFLOW und das Stofftransportmodell RT3D. Zur Untersuchung der Wechselwirkungen mit den Gebietseigenschaften muss die Verteilung und Verf{\"u}gbarkeit von Reaktionspartnern ber{\"u}cksichtigt werden. Dazu wurde ein Reaktionsmodul entwickelt, welches chemische Prozesse im Grundwasser simuliert. Hierzu geh{\"o}ren die Mineralisation organischer Substanz durch Sauerstoff, Nitrat und Sulfat sowie die Pyritoxidation durch Sauerstoff und Nitrat. Der Modellansatz wurde in verschiedenen Einzelstudien angewandt, wobei jeweils bestimmte Teilmodelle im Vordergrund stehen. Alle Modellstudien basieren auf Daten aus dem Schaugrabeneinzugsgebiet (ca. 25 km\&\#178;), in der N{\"a}he von Osterburg(Altmark) im Norden Sachsen-Anhalts. Die folgenden Einzelstudien wurden durchgef{\"u}hrt: i) Evaluation des Bodenmodells anhand von Lysimeterdaten, ii) Modellierung eines Tracerexperimentes im Feldmaßstab als eine erste Anwendung des Reaktionsmoduls, iii) Untersuchung hydraulisch-chemischer Wechselwirkungen an einem 2D-Grundwassertransekt, iv) Fl{\"a}chenverteilte Modellierung von Grundwasserneubildung und Bodenstickstoffaustrag im Untersuchungsgebiet als Eingangsdaten f{\"u}r nachfolgende Grundwassersimulationen, und v) Untersuchung der Ausbreitung von Nitrat im Grundwasser und des Durchbruchs in die Oberfl{\"a}chengew{\"a}sser im Untersuchungsgebiet auf Basis einer 3D-Modellierung von Grundwasserstr{\"o}mung und reaktivem Stofftransport. Die Modellstudien zeigen, dass der Modellansatz geeignet ist, die Wechselwirkungen zwischen Stofftransport und \–umsatz und den hydraulisch-chemischen Gebietseigenschaften zu modellieren. Die Ausbreitung von Nitrat im Sediment wird wesentlich von der Verf{\"u}gbarkeit reaktiver Substanzen sowie der Verweilzeit im Grundwasserleiter bestimmt. Bei der Simulation des Untersuchungsgebietes wurde erst nach 70 Jahren eine der gegebenen Eintragssitutation entsprechende Nitratkonzentration im Grundwasserzustrom zum Grabensystem erreicht (konservativer Transport). Die Ber{\"u}cksichtigung von reaktivem Stofftransport f{\"u}hrt zu einer deutlichen Reduktion der Nitratkonzentrationen. Die Modellergebnisse zeigen, dass der Grundwasserzustrom die beobachtete Nitratbelastung im Grabensystem nicht erkl{\"a}ren kann, da der Großteil des Nitrates durch Denitrifikation verloren geht. Andere Quellen, wie direkte Eintr{\"a}ge oder Dr{\"a}nagenzufl{\"u}sse m{\"u}ssen ebenfalls in Betracht gezogen werden. Die Prognosef{\"a}higkeit des Modells f{\"u}r das Untersuchungsgebiet wird durch die Datenunsicherheiten und die Sch{\"a}tzung der Modellparameter eingeschr{\"a}nkt. Dennoch ist der Modellansatz eine wertvolle Hilfe bei der Identifizierung von belastungsrelevanten Teilfl{\"a}chen (Stoffquellen und -senken) sowie bei der Modellierung der Auswirkungen von Managementmaßnahmen oder Landnutzungsver{\"a}nderungen auf Grundlage von Szenario-Simulationen. Der Modellansatz unterst{\"u}tzt auch die Interpretation von Beobachtungsdaten, da so die lokalen Informationen in einen r{\"a}umlichen und zeitlichen Zusammenhang gestellt werden k{\"o}nnen.}, language = {en} }