Hydrosedimentological Connectivity in Watersheds: A Review of Concepts, Methods, and Models

The increasing application of numerical models and indices has significantly expanded the understanding of hydrosedimentological connectivity in river basins, as it allows the representation of the dynamics of water and sediment redistribution and the assessment of the effects of land use and land cover changes. This study presents a systematic review of the main concepts, methods, and models employed in the analysis of hydrosedimentological connectivity, highlighting the evolution of mathematical modeling from classical theoretical formulations to the incorporation of computational tools widely used in the scientific literature. Among the models discussed, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), the Topographic Model (TOPMODEL), and MIKE 11 stand out, among others, evidencing their applications, potentialities, and limitations in the simulation of hydrosedimentological processes. In addition, connectivity indices are analyzed, with emphasis on the Index of Connectivity (IC), widely applied in estimating the potential transfer of sediments between different landscape compartments and within geomorphological units. Finally, the importance of validating models and indices through field observations and empirical data is emphasized, reinforcing the complementarity between computational modeling and experimental investigation for the advancement of geomorphological, hydrological, and hydrosedimentological studies in river basins, contributing to the improvement of environmental planning and integrated water resources management.

Keywords:
Fluvial Geomorphology; Hydrological Modeling; Connectivity Index