Required Integrated Approach to Understand Runoff Generation and Flow-path Dynamics In Catchments

During the last 20 years, much has been learned about runoff generation processes and lateral flow along different pathways, especially at hillslope to small catchment scales. Nevertheless, this knowledge has only to a small extent contributed to modify model formulations/parameterizations describing runoff generation at the catchment scale. In this paper, we focus on a few examples where detailed field studies describe the essential elements of runoff generation and thus help to achieve a more realistic representation of the underlying mechanisms within process-oriented rainfall-runoff models.