M-TROPICS/BVET - India

Locations

11° 43' 48" N, 76° 27' 0" E
11° 47' 29.4432" N, 76° 33' 7.398" E
Brief Site Description: 
Paired experimental watersheds in sub-humid tropical climate.
Detailed Site Description: 

CZO BVET is INSU- and IRD-labeled. It is a monitoring tool that aims to increase our knowledge regarding the continental water and biogeochemical cycles and the dynamics of weathering processes in tropical environments. It is also dedicated to the study of anthropogenic impacts on the natural environment. These goals are achieved by the combined use of hydrological, geophysical, mineralogical, geochemical methods and modeling.

The Mule Hole watershed is located in the middle of the forest. It covers an area of about 4.5 square km and belongs to the Soreda Halla basin (43 square km). The Soreda Halla River is a tributary of the Nugu Hole River, which itself flows northwards before reaching the Kabini River. It is mostly ondulating with gentle slopes and elevation varies from 820 to 910 m asl, with an average value of 860 m (Figure 1). The surface outlet is located on the south-western part of the watershed.

Figure 1. The Mule Hole watershed

The Maddur watershed (Figure 2) stretches east of Mule Hole on about 7 square km, at the edge of the forest. It includes a cultivated zone (about 1/3d of its area). The watershed is part of the western boundary of the Gundal basin. The Gundal River flows northwards until it reaches the Kabini River in Nanjangud. The Gundal basin is completely included in the semi-arid area.

Figure 2. The Maddur watersehd

Field Site Type: 
International CZO
Registration: 
Registered
Network(s): 
CRITEX
LTER
OZCAR
RBV
Study Start Date: 
2001
Mean Annual Precipitation: 
1 100 millimeters / year
Average Annual Temperature: 
27°C
Land Cover: 
Deciduous Forest
Agriculture- Crops
Geology: 
shale
Soil Order: 
Oxisol
Vertisol
Hydrology: Surface water - Stream Flow Performance: 
Ephemeral
Climate: 
Tropical
Sub-Climate: 
Semiarid
Subhumid
Group visibility: 
Public - accessible to all site users