The method of impulse response moments: a new method integrating time series-, groundwater- and eco-hydrological modelling

The impulse response (IR) function describes the way in which the water table responds to an impulse of precipitation, and plays an important role in time series analysis. The moments of the IR function can, however, be directly calculated from both time series models and groundwater models, and can also be used in eco-hydrological models as moments characterize the dynamic behaviour of the water table. In this paper the outline of the method of impulse response moments (IRM) is presented. This method integrates the above mentioned fields of hydrological modelling as subsystems from which moments can be derived and between which moments can be mutually exchanged, thereby offering an opportunity to combine their specific advantages. Future research will focus on the further development of the IRM method and on quantifying the consequences of the assumptions made (i.e. linearity of the hydrological system and a predefined for-in of the IR function).