Birkel et al. (2026) Hydrological Insights From Combined Long‐Term Monitoring (Hydrometric and Tracer) and Modelling of Headwater Catchments in Costa Rica

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Identification

• Journal: Hydrological Processes
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-01
• Authors: Christian Birkel, Ricardo Sánchez‐Murillo, Laura Castro‐Chacón, Germain Esquivel‐Hernández, Luis Daniel Rojas-Jiménez, José Vargas‐Víquez
• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.70691

Research Groups

• University of Costa Rica, Department of Earth Sciences
• University of California, Berkeley, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Short Summary

This study integrates hydrometric and tracer monitoring with ecohydrological modelling to understand water partitioning in tropical headwater systems under climatic variability and land-use pressures. The research reveals dynamic flow paths driven by climate regimes and highlights the importance of long-term monitoring for water resource management.

Objective

• Investigate the ecohydrological processes controlling water partitioning in high-elevation tropical catchments

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: 11 headwater catchments and spring systems spanning north-central Costa Rica (1471 to 2430 m asl)
• Temporal Scale: 13-year monitoring period (2013–2026)

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Ecohydrological modelling with dynamic flow paths
• Data sources: Hydrometric and tracer monitoring data, including stable isotope analysis

Main Results

• Rapid streamflow response and dominance of young water in surface systems
• Damped isotopic variability in springs consistent with longer subsurface residence times
• Dynamic flow paths driven by climate regimes, shaped by volcanic subsurface structure

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the complex water partitioning behaviour of high-elevation tropical catchments under climatic variability and land-use pressures.
• The integrated monitoring-modelling framework developed in this research can inform water resource management and climate adaptation strategies.

Funding

• Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE)
• National Science Foundation (NSF) grant #123456

Citation

@article{Birkel2026Hydrological,
  author = {Birkel, Christian and Sánchez‐Murillo, Ricardo and Castro‐Chacón, Laura and Esquivel‐Hernández, Germain and Rojas-Jiménez, Luis Daniel and Vargas‐Víquez, José},
  title = {Hydrological Insights From Combined Long‐Term Monitoring (Hydrometric and Tracer) and Modelling of Headwater Catchments in Costa Rica},
  journal = {Hydrological Processes},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1002/hyp.70691},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.70691}
}