Role of underground fissure flow in near-surface rainfall-runoff process on a rock mantled slope in the karst rocky desertification area

Because of the complex near-surface double-layer geologic structure (i.e., surface and underground fissures) of slopes in karst regions, it is difficult to collect data on all flows, especially the flows generated in underground fissures. This lack of information leads to a poor understanding of the rainfall-runoff process associated with soil loss in karst landscapes. The goal of this study was to determine the output characteristics of surface, subsurface and underground fissure flows and their conversion relationships, as well as the role of underground fissure flow in the near-surface rainfall-runoff process, using rainfall experiments. The results revealed the following findings. (i) Light rainfall intensities (15 and 30 mm/h) generated subsurface lateral flow and underground fissure flow, whereas greater rainfall intensities generated surface runoff in addition to subsurface and underground flows. (ii) The runoff/drainage depths of all the above flows increased with increasing rainfall intensity, while the runoff/drainage coefficient exhibited no obvious regular change, except for the surface runoff. Moreover, the distribution ratio of surface runoff to total flow also increased with increasing rainfall intensity but decreased with increasing underground fissure degree, while the distribution ratio of underground fissure flow exhibited the opposite trend. (iii) Underground fissure flow, with distribution ratios of 27.8-78.0%, dominated the total flow yield. This study has significance for controlling soil erosion and water shortage in the karst rocky desertification region and also improves the understanding of the near-surface rainfall-runoff process in this region