PROGRESS IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF RUNOFF GENERATION DYNAMICS IN FORESTS

This work reviews the runoff generation process in forests. A survey o f the delivery mechanisms of hillslope runoff and the difficulties of incorporating some of them in recent physically based models is consid ered. The research challenge in reconciling the results from recent st ream hydrogeochemistry studies with the results from previous hillslop e hydrometric experiments is also highlighted. 'Physically based' runo ff process models for application to forest land management problems a re then summarised. The work concludes by proposing a new, intensive p hase in experimental hydrology which should support the continued deve lopment of new algorithms in runoff process modelling. Particular atte ntion should be given to tropical forests and the need for additional hillslope hydrology research to address the important issues associate d with hillslope management and conversion.