Reworking of basin fill deposits along a tributary of the upper Yellow River: Implications for changes to landscape connectivity

Recent emphasis on sediment connectivity in the literature highlights the need for quantitative baseline studies on the patterns and distribution of sediment stores to facilitate understanding of how sediment moves through the landscape at various temporal and spatial scales. This study evaluates the distribution and make‐up of sediment stores within the dramatically incised landscapes of the upper Yellow River, where basin fill deposits up to 1200 m in depth have been extensively reworked following incision by the Yellow River. Field and GIS analyses highlight the discontinuous distribution of sediment stores in Garang catchment, a 236 km² tributary of the upper Yellow River. Volumetric estimates of sediment storage were obtained through a combination of field mapping, GPR transects, and GIS analyses. Sediment stores cover 20% of the Garang catchment, with an estimated volume of 474.0 × 10⁶ m³, and inferred residence times from OSL and ¹⁴C dating of 10³–10⁴ years. Fans and terraces reworked from basin fill deposits, and associated cut and fill terrace features, are the dominant forms of sediment storage (~90% of total). A space‐for‐time argument is used to assess stages of basin infilling and subsequent landscape responses to incision, outlining a dramatic example of changes to sediment dynamics and connectivity relationships within the upper Yellow River. Sediments within the upper catchment lie above the regional basin fill level, offering a glimpse of pre‐incisional conditions. This contrasts markedly with the enduring influence of basin incisional history seen within the middle catchment, and the contemporary landscapes of the lower catchment where nearly all available sediment has been excavated from the basin and the landscape effectively operates under post‐incisional conditions. The need to contextualise catchment‐scale studies in terms of landscape history is emphasised. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling centennial sediment waves in an eroding landscape – catchment complexity

Sediment flux dynamics in fluvial systems have often been related to changes in external drivers of topography, climate or land cover. It is well known that these dynamics are non‐linear. Recently, model simulations of fluvial activity and landscape evolution have suggested that self‐organization in landscapes can also cause internal complexity in the sedimentary record. In this contribution one particular case of self‐organization is explored in the Sabinal field study area, Spain, where several dynamic zones of sedimentation and incision are observed along the current river bed. Whether these zones can be caused by internal complexity was tested with landscape evolution model (LEM) LAPSUS (Landscape Process Modelling at Multi‐dimensions and Scales). During various 500 year simulations, zones of sedimentation appear to move upstream and downstream in eroding river channels (‘waves’). These waves are visualized and characterized for a range of model settings under constant external forcing, and the self‐organizing process behind their occurrence is analysed. Results indicate that this process is not necessarily related to simplifications in the model and is more generic than the process of bed‐armouring that has recently been recognized as a cause for complexity in LEM simulations. We conclude that autogenic sediment waves are the result of the spatial propagation in time of feedbacks in local transport limited (deposition) and detachment limited (erosion) conditions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

How pixel size affects a sediment connectivity index in central Belgium

Connectivity has become an increasingly used concept in hydrological and sediment research. In order to quantify it, various indices have been proposed since the start of the 21st century including the index of connectivity. This index is based on a limited number of factors, the most important one being topography. Sediment connectivity indices values probably depend on the digital elevation model (DEM) resolution. The aim of this study was, first, to compare the effect of DEM pixel size (between 0.25 and 10 m, using an UAV) in the Belgian loess belt, a lowland area. We show that the index values were lower when the pixel size decreased (a difference of about 20% in value between 0.25 and 10 m). In addition, the impact of linear features in the watershed (e.g. grass strip, bank and road) was lower with the largest pixel sizes, and the connectivity pattern was affected with a pixel size of 5 m or more. At lower pixel sizes (1 m or below), some more disconnected regions appeared. These corresponded with zones where there had been water stagnation during and after rainfalls, and was corroborated by field observations. This confirmed the need for a proper resolution according to the objectives of the study. The second aim of this study was to deduce a minimum pixel size for connectivity study, helping local erosion or sedimentation location and consequent land management decisions. In our context, 1 m stands as the optimum DEM resolution. This pixel size permitted location of all ‘key areas’ in terms of erosion. Very high resolutions (<0.5 m) did not generate much more information, and their calculation time was far greater. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of climate on landscape form,sediment transfer and the sedimentary record

The relationship between climate, landscape connectivity and sediment export from mountain ranges is key to understanding the propagation of erosion signals downstream into sedimentary basins. We explore the role of connectivity in modulating the composition of sediment exported from the Frontal Cordillera of the south-central Argentine Andes by comparing three adjacent and apparently similar semi-glaciated catchment-fan systems within the context of an along-strike precipitation gradient. We first identify that the bedrock exposed in the upper, previously glaciated reaches of the cordillera is under-represented in the lithological composition of gravels on each of three alluvial fans. There is little evidence for abrasion or preferential weathering of sediment sourced from the upper cordillera, suggesting that the observed bias can only be explained by sediment storage in these glacially widened and flattened valleys of the upper cordillera (as revealed by channel steepness mapping). A detailed analysis of the morphology of sedimentary deposits within the catchments reveals catchment-wide trends in either main valley incision or aggradation, linked to differences in hillslope–channel connectivity and precipitation. We observe that drier catchments have poor hillslope–channel connectivity and that gravels exported from dry catchments have a lithological composition depleted in clasts sourced from the upper cordillera. Conversely, the catchment with the highest maximum precipitation rate exhibits a high degree of connectivity between its sediment sources and the main river network, leading to the export of a greater proportion of upper cordillera gravel as well as a greater volume of sand. Finally, given a clear spatial correlation between the resistance of bedrock to erosion, mountain range elevation and its covariant, precipitation, we highlight how connectivity in these semi-glaciated landscapes can be preconditioned by the spatial distribution of bedrock lithology. These findings give insight into the extent to which sedimentary archives record source erosion patterns through time.     

Sediment connectivity: a framework for understanding sediment transfer at multiple scales

A major challenge for geomorphologists is to scale up small‐magnitude processes to produce landscape form, yet existing approaches have been found to be severely limited. New ways to scale erosion and transfer of sediment are thus needed. This paper evaluates the concept of sediment connectivity as a framework for understanding processes involved in sediment transfer across multiple scales. We propose that the concept of sediment connectivity can be used to explain the connected transfer of sediment from a source to a sink in a catchment, and movement of sediment between different zones within a catchment: over hillslopes, between hillslopes and channels, and within channels. Using fluvial systems as an example we explore four scenarios of sediment connectivity which represent end‐members of behaviour from fully linked to fully unlinked hydrological and sediment connectivity. Sediment‐travel distance – when combined with an entrainment parameter reflecting the frequency–magnitude response of the system – maps onto these end‐members, providing a coherent conceptual model for the upscaling of erosion predictions. This conceptual model could be readily expanded to other process domains to provide a more comprehensive underpinning of landscape‐evolution models. Thus, further research on the controls and dynamics of travel distances under different modes of transport is fundamental. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Introduction to special issue on connectivity in water and sediment dynamics

Connectivity has emerged in recent years as a significant conceptual framework within which to address the spatial and temporal variability in runoff and sediment transport. This special issue draws together several of the papers that were presented in the session “Connectivity in water and sediment dynamics: how do we move forwards?” at the 2012 General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union in Vienna, Austria. The papers submitted for this special issue fall into three groups: empirical studies, modelling studies, and conceptual development. Although it may be evident that the concept of connectivity helps us to express the complexity (in terms of water and sediment yields) of landscape responses to rainfall inputs, does it improve our ability to understand or predict those responses? There would still seem to be some way to go in connectivity research before this nagging concern can be assuaged. That it can be will undoubtedly be an important task for a number of ongoing research initiatives. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling sediment dynamics due to hillslope–river interactions: incorporating fluvial behaviour in landscape evolution model LAPSUS

Landscape evolution models (LEMs) simulate the three‐dimensional development of landscapes over time. Different LEMs have different foci, e.g. erosional behaviour, river dynamics, the fluvial domain, hillslopes or a combination. LEM LAPSUS is a relatively simple cellular model operating on timescales of centuries to millennia and using annual timesteps that has had a hillslope focus. Our objective was to incorporate fluvial behaviour in LAPSUS without changing the existing model equations. The model should be able to reproduce alternating aggradation and incision in the floodplains of catchments, depending on simulated conditions. Testing was done using an artificial digital elevation model (DEM) and a demonstration of the ability for fluvial simulation was performed for a real landscape (Torrealvilla catchment, southeast Spain). Model equations to calculate sediment dynamics and water routing were similar for both hillslope and fluvial conditions, but different parameter values were used for these domains, defined based on annual discharge. Parameters changing between the domains are convergence factor p, which is used in the multiple flow algorithm to route water, and discharge and gradient exponents m and n, used in transport capacity calculations. Erodibility and ‘sedimentability’ factors K and P were changed between cold (little vegetation, high erodibility) and warm conditions (more vegetation, lower erodibility). Results show that the adapted parameters reproduced alternating aggradation – due to divergent flow in the floodplain and sediment supply under cold conditions – and incision due to reduced sediment supply and resulting clean water erosion during simulated warm conditions. The simulated results are due to interactions between hillslopes and floodplains, as the former provide the sediments that are deposited in the latter. Similar behaviour was demonstrated when using the real DEM. Sensitivity and resolution analysis showed that the model is sensitive to changes in m, n and p and that model behaviour is influenced by DEM resolution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantifying sediment connectivity: Moving toward a holistic assessment through a mixed methods approach

The sediment connectivity concept is particularly suitable for tackling complex, multidisciplinary questions through systems thinking. However, it is unclear how to directly measure connectivity, and so proxy variables are often applied by indices to provide estimates. In this study, we critically evaluate a broad range of connectivity indices encompassing structural and functional connectivity as well as hillslope channel coupling. We then discuss their role in providing a more holistic estimation of connectivity within the Tahoma Creek Watershed, WA. Of the 14 km of channel below the glacier front, the upper 6 km (0–6 km) are coupled to the adjacent hillslopes. Coupled reaches correspond to regions with a high proportion of area contributing sediment and relatively high connectivity values, where all measures decrease in the downstream direction. A significant transition occurs near river kilometer 6. Here the valley bottom abruptly widens, deposition occurs, and the hillslopes become decoupled from the active channel. This transitional reach is also identified as a geomorphic hotspot based on the network structure. The lower 8 km of channel downstream of this reach are largely depositional and percent contributing area and connectivity values remain low, eventually reaching a minimum. Despite their limitations, we found each method to provide unique and useful information regarding connectivity. The effect of scale and event magnitude on connectivity is illustrated. We also found vegetation, topographic characteristics, and network structure to be important in high-gradient glacio-volcanic landscapes. The choice of an index will depend on the research objectives, data availability, and the proxy variables that best describe the variability within the defined area.     

Linking landslides,hillslope erosion,and landscape evolution

This Virtual Issue highlights 10 recent innovative, unconventional, or otherwise significant contributions to Earth Surface Processes and Landforms that help advance the state‐of‐the‐art in research on linkages between landslides, hillslope erosion, and landscape evolution. The selected studies address this feedback within a temporal spectrum that ranges from the event to the millennial scale, thus underscoring the importance of detailed field observations, high‐resolution digital topographic data, and geochronological methods for increasing our capability of quantifying landslide processes and hillslope erosion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computing spatially distributed sediment delivery ratios: inferring functional sediment connectivity from repeat high‐resolution digital elevation models

High‐resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) from repeat LiDAR (light detection and ranging) or SfM (structure from motion) surveys have become an important tool in process geomorphology. The spatial pattern of negative and positive changes of surface elevation on raster DEMs of difference (DoD) can be interpreted in terms of geomorphic processes, and has been used for morphological budgeting. We show how the application of flow routing algorithms and flow accumulation opens new opportunities for the analysis of DoD. By accumulating the values of the DoD along downslope flowpaths delineated on a DEM, these algorithms lend themselves to computing the net balance, i.e. sediment yield (SY), for the contributing area of each cell. Doing the same for the negative subset of the DoD yields a minimum estimate of erosion (E) within the contributing area. The division of SY by E yields (a maximum estimate of) the sediment delivery ratio (SDR), that is the proportion of material eroded within the contributing area of each cell that has been exported from that area. The resulting SDR is a spatially distributed measure of functional sediment connectivity. In this letter, we develop the computationally simple approach by means of an example DoD from a lateral moraine section in the Upper Kaunertal Valley, Austrian Central Alps. We also discuss advantages, assumptions and limitations, and outline potential applications to connectivity research using field‐, laboratory‐, and model‐based DoD. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of landscape connectivity and landslide dynamics upon channel adjustments and sediment flux in the Liwu Basin,Taiwan

Catchment‐scale analyzes of spatial and temporal variability in landscape connectivity are critical considerations in appraisals of landscape evolution and disaster mitigation in tectonically active mountain belts such as Taiwan. This study uses historical aerial photographs, flow discharge and seismic data to analyze landslide changes and channel adjustments over a 30 year period in the Liwu Basin. Recurrent earthquakes and typhoon events trigger frequent landslide activity, channel adjustment and sediment reworking in this system. Spatial variability in magnitude–frequency relations of hillslope‐valley floor (lateral) and upstream–downstream (longitudinal) connectivity during the study period are shown to reflect annual reworking in source and accumulation zones, while partly‐confined valleys in the mid‐catchment area trap sediment behind landslide‐induced dams that are formed and breached on an approximately decadal basis. This promotes partial longitudinal connectivity in these areas. Landscape responses to disturbance events were especially pronounced following combinations of seismic and typhoon events prior to the 1998 and 2005 images. Although single high magnitude events and series of moderate events affect patterns of landscape connectivity in the Liwu Basin, residence times for sediment storage are very short in this highly‐connected river system, where confined valley settings extend virtually to the coast. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Developing,choosing and using landscape evolution models to inform field‐based landscape reconstruction studies

Landscape evolution models (LEMs) are an increasingly popular resource for geomorphologists as they can operate as virtual laboratories where the implications of hypotheses about processes over human to geological timescales can be visualized at spatial scales from catchments to mountain ranges. Hypothetical studies for idealized landscapes have dominated, although model testing in real landscapes has also been undertaken. So far however, numerical landscape evolution models have rarely been used to aid field‐based reconstructions of the geomorphic evolution of actual landscapes. To help make this use more common, we review numerical landscape evolution models from the point of view of model use in field reconstruction studies. We first give a broad overview of the main assumptions and choices made in many LEMs to help prospective users select models appropriate to their field situation. We then summarize for various timescales which data are typically available and which models are appropriate. Finally, we provide guidance on how to set up a model study as a function of available data and the type of research question. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The geomorphic cell: a basis for studying connectivity

Any attempt to measure connectivity within a system requires a set of entities to be defined that permit the connectivity among them to be quantified. Here we propose the geomorphic cell as such an entity. We provide a means to identify these cells, define a terminology for describing cell state, and identify the pathways of connections (connecteins) to and from cells. We conceptualize the geomorphic cell as being a three‐dimensional body of the geomorphosphere, which is delimited from neighbouring cells and neighbouring spheres by different types of boundary. Vertically, the upper boundary of a geomorphic cell is defined by the atmosphere, while the lower boundary is generally formed by the bedrock layer of the lithosphere. Laterally, geomorphic cells are delimited from neighbouring cells with a change in environmental characteristics that determine hydro‐geomorphic boundary conditions (e.g. geology, soils, topography and/or vegetation). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geomorphic connectivity and its application for understanding landscape complexities: a focus on the hydro-geomorphic systems of India

Geomorphic processes operate at multiple spatio-temporal scales and different levels of hierarchy. It is therefore necessary to understand the linkages of landscapes across various scales and levels to gain insights into their interactions and feedbacks. Connectivity is an emergent property of the hydro-geomorphic systems, and it is gradually evolving into a unifying concept in geomorphology. The connectivity approach has the potential to be applied extensively to diverse hydro-geomorphic systems of India to understand their complexity as well as for designing effective management practices for river systems and wetlands, optimizing water resources for agriculture, and monitoring and restoration of habitats. Studies on connectivity, particularly in geomorphic context, have been growing steadily in India, albeit at a much slower pace compared to the global trends. This article undertakes a brief overview of the global developments particularly in terms of providing some clarity among the different types of geomorphic connectivity and their inter-relationships and feedbacks. We then take stock of the connectivity research in India in recent years as applied in different hydrogeomorphic systems across the country. We utilize a number of Indian case studies to illustrate the important developments and applications of connectivity concepts, and also present future perspective of this important field with special relevance to India. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Distributed empirical algorithms to estimate catchment scale sediment connectivity and yield in a subtropical region

The intensity of soil loss and sediment delivery, representing hydrologic and geomorphic processes within a catchment, accelerates with rapid changes in land cover and rainfall events. An underlying component of sustainable management of water resources is an understanding of spatial and temporal variability and the adverse influences of regional parameters involved in generating sediment following widespread changes in land cover. A calibrated algorithm of soil loss coupled with a sediment delivery ratio (SDR) was applied in raster data layers to improve the capability of a combined model to estimate annual variability in sediment yields related to changes in vegetation cover identified by analyses of SPOT imagery. Four catchments in Kangaroo River State forest were assessed for annual changes in sediment yields. Two catchments were selectively logged in 2007, while the two other sites remained undisturbed. Results of SDR estimates indicated that only a small proportion of total eroded sediment from hillslopes is transported to catchment outlets. Larger SDR values were estimated in regions close to catchment outlets, and the SDR reduced sharply on hillslopes further than 200–300 m from these areas. Estimated sediment yield increased by up to 30% two years after land cover change (logging) in 2009 when more storm events were recorded, despite the moderate density of vegetation cover in 2009 having almost recovered to its initial pre‐logging (2005) condition. Rainfall had the most significant influence on streamflow and sediment delivery in all catchments, with steeply sloping areas contributing large amounts of sediment during moderate and high rainfall years in 2007 and 2009. It is concluded that the current scenario of single‐tree selection logging utilized in the study area is an acceptable and environmentally sound land management strategy for preservation of soil and water resources. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temporal variation in suspended sediment transport: linking sediment sources and hydro-meteorological drivers

Suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) in rivers are variable in time due to interacting soil erosion and sediment transport processes. While many hydro-meteorological variables are correlated to SSCs, interpretation of these correlations in terms of driving processes requires in-depth knowledge of the catchment. Detailed sediment source information is needed to establish the causal linkages between driving processes and variations in SSC. This study innovatively combined sediment fingerprinting with multivariate statistical analyses of hydro-meteorological data to investigate how differential contributions of sediment sources control SSC in response to hydro-meteorological variables during high-flow events in rivers. Applied to the River Aire (UK), five sediment sources were classified: grassland topsoil in three lithological areas (limestone, millstone grit and coal measures), eroding riverbanks, and street dust. A total of 159 suspended sediment samples were collected during 14 high-flow events (2015–2017). Results show substantial variation in sediment sources during high-flow events. Limestone grassland and street dust, the dominant contributors to the suspended sediment, show temporal variations consistent with variations in total SSC, and are correlated with precipitation and discharge shortly prior and during high-flow events (i.e. fast mobilization to and within river). Contrarily, contributions from millstone and coals grassland appear to be driven by antecedent hydro-meteorological conditions (i.e. lag-time between soil erosion and sediment delivery). Riverbank material is poorly correlated to hydro-meteorological variables, possibly due to weak source discrimination or the infrequent nature of its delivery to the channel. Differences in source-specific drivers and process interactions for sediment transport demonstrate the difficulty in generalizing sediment transport patterns and developing targeted suspended sediment management strategies. While more research is essential to address different uncertainties emerging from the approach, the study demonstrates how empirical data on sediment monitoring, fingerprinting, and hydro-meteorology can be combined and analysed to better understand sediment connectivity and the factors controlling SSC. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pattern‐process relationships in surface hydrology: hydrological connectivity expressed in landscape metrics

The degree of hydrological connectivity is mainly determined by the spatial organisation of heterogeneity. A meaningful and aggregate abstraction of spatial patterns is one of the promising means to gain fundamental insights into this complex interaction and can, moreover, be used as a tool to acquire a profound understanding of the major controls of catchment hydrology. In order to disclose such controls, pattern‐process relationships and the explanatory power of landscape metrics were tested by simulating the runoff of differently patterned virtual basins, generated by neutral landscape models and fractal networks and solved by a surface hydrological model composed of kinematic wave routing and Green‐Ampt infiltration. A total of 23 landscape metrics quantified the spatial patterns and were subsequently related to the functional connectivity, assessed as the proportion of internal runoff generation constituting the hydrological response at the outlet. Landscape metrics allowed the identification of dominant features of heterogeneity that explained the observed connectivity, and to disclose changes in control with class abundance. Therefore, landscape metrics are a useful tool for basin comparison and classification in terms of the dominant processes and the corresponding model structure requirements. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling soil erosion with a downscaled landscape evolution model

The measurement and prediction of soil erosion is important for understanding both natural and disturbed landscape systems. In particular numerical models of soil erosion are important tools for managing landscapes as well as understanding how they have evolved over time. Over the last 40 years a variety of methods have been used to determine rates of soil loss from a landscape and these can be loosely categorized into empirical and physically based models. Alternatively, physically based landscape evolution models (LEMs) have been developed that provide information on soil erosion rates at much longer decadal or centennial scales, over large spatial scales and examine how they may respond to environmental and climatic changes. Both soil erosion LEMs are interested in similar outcomes (landscape development and sediment delivery) yet have quite different methodologies and parameterizations. This paper applies a LEM (the CAESAR model) for the first time at time and space scales where soil erosion models have largely been used. It tests the ability of the LEM to predict soil erosion on a 30 m experimental plot on a trial rehabilitated landform in the Northern Territory, Australia. It then continues to discuss the synergies and differences between soil erosion and LEMs. The results demonstrate that once calibrated for the site hydrology, predicted suspended sediment and bedload yields from CAESAR show a close correspondence in both volume and timing of field measured data. The model also predicts, at decadal scales, sediment loads close to that of field measured data. Findings indicate that the small‐scale drainage network that forms within these erosion plots is an important control on the timing and magnitude of sediment delivery. Therefore, it is important to use models that can alter the DEM to reflect changing topography and drainage network as well as having a greater emphasis on channel processes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and Commonwealth of Australia     

Modelling spatio-temporal patterns of sediment yield and connectivity in a semi-arid catchment with the WASA-SED model

Abstract

Rainfall–runoff induced soil erosion causes important environmental degradation by reducing soil fertility and impacting on water availability as a consequence of sediment deposition in surface reservoirs used for water supply, particularly in semi-arid areas. However, erosion models developed on experimental plots cannot be directly applied to estimate sediment yield at the catchment scale, since sediment redistribution is also controlled by the transport conditions along the landscape. In particular, representation of landscape connectivity relating to sediment transfer from upslope areas to the river network is required. In this study, the WASA-SED model is used to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of water and sediment connectivity for a semi-arid meso-scale catchment (933 km²) in Brazil. It is shown how spatial and temporal patterns of sediment connectivity within the catchment change as a function of landscape and event characteristics. This explains the nonlinear catchment response in terms of sediment yield at the outlet.

Citation Medeiros, P. H. A., Güntner, A., Francke, T., Mamede, G. L. & de Araújo, J. C. (2010) Modelling spatio-temporal patterns of sediment yield and connectivity in a semi-arid catchment with the WASA-SED model. Hydrol. Sci. J. 55(4), 636–648.     

Post-fire management effects on sediment (dis)connectivity in Mediterranean forest ecosystems: Channel and catchment response

Forest fires and post-fire practices influence sediment connectivity (SC). In this study, we use the ‘aggregated index of connectivity’ (AIC) to assess SC in five Mediterranean catchments (198–1090 ha) affected by a wildfire in 2012 in south-eastern Spain. Two temporal scenarios were considered, immediately after the fire and before post-fire management, and 2 years after the fire including all practices (hillslope barriers, check-dams, afforestation, salvage logging and skid trails). One LiDAR (light detection and ranging)-derived digital elevation model (DEM, 2 m × 2 m resolution) was generated, per scenario. The five catchment outlets were established as the computation target (AIC_OUT), and structural and functional SC were calculated. Index outputs were normalized to make the results of the non-nested catchments comparable (AIC_N-OUT). The output analysis includes the SC distribution along the catchments and at local scale (929 sub-catchments, 677 in the burned area), the hillslope and channel measures' effect on SC, and a sedimentological analysis using observed area-specific sediment yield (SSY) at 10 new (built after post-fire practices) concrete check-dams located in the catchments (SSY = 1.94 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹; σ = 1.22). The catchments with more circular shapes and steeper slopes were those with higher AIC_N-OUT. The structural SC maps – removing the rainfall erosivity influence – allowed evaluating the actual role played by the post-fire practices that reduced SC ( $\overline{x}$= − 1.19%; σ = 0.41); while functional SC was linked to the actual change of SC ( $\overline{x}$= + 5.32%; σ = 0.62). Hillslope treatments resulted in significant changes on AIC_N-OUT at sub-catchment scale with certain disconnectivity. A good and positive correlation was found between the SSY and the changes of AIC_N-OUT. However, the coarse DEM resolution explained the lack of effect of the rock check-dams – located on the secondary channels – on AIC_N-OUT. AIC_N-OUT proved to be a useful tool for decision making in post-fire restoration, but an optimal input data is still necessary to refine calculations.