Step 1: A unit hydrograph shows the runoff response of a catchment due to unit depth of effective rainfall.
Step 2: The shape of a unit hydrograph depends on the way the catchment collects and drains water.
Step 3: Important catchment characteristics include:
• Area of catchment
• Shape of catchment
• Slope
• Drainage density
• Soil and land use
Step 4: Rainfall duration can affect the hydrograph, but the basic shape is strongly controlled by catchment characteristics.
Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is:
\[
\boxed{\text{Catchment characteristics}}
\]