Abstract:
The main objective of this dissertation was to identify the rainfall runoff processes that control the discharge generation of the study areas. The research uses multi techniques including hydrometric data analysis, tracers (isotopes and chemical constituents) and conceptual modeling. The research questions were (i) in which way streamflow is controlled by micro-climate, precipitation pattern, slope, land cover and soil properties, amongst other catchment properties?, (ii) what are the main sources of water within the study areas?, and how the soil properties are influencing the runoff generation?, and (iii) could the identified conceptual model, using previous knowledge, be applied for the studied areas in the south of Ecuador?
