| The objective of this study was to characterize a small tropical watershed in Costa Rica that contains land-uses including pasture, secondary forest, and primary forest. Precipitation, discharge, and water quality were monitored between June 2008 and May 2009. Soil permeability was also evaluated within the different land-uses. Hydraulic conductivity values were greatest in the pasture followed by the primary forest and the secondary forest. This is inconsistent with studies that document decreased permeability with increased land-use intensity. Mean response lags were longest in sub-catchments containing primary forests. Antecedent moisture conditions had a strong impact on the timing characteristics of stream response and the balance of storm flow and baseflow. pH and TDS/EC were consistently the lowest within the sub-catchments dominated by primary forests. Temporal trends correlated with precipitation. TSS/Q plotted as positive hysteresis loops suggesting that suspended sediment was depleted rapidly as it was flushed from near channel areas. |
