Hydraulic Characteristics of Mountainous Forest Soils in Korea and Applicability of Pedotransfer Functions

Abstract

Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) were developed for each soil horizon to estimate hydraulic characteristics of mountainous forest soils in South Korea. Twenty one dominant soil series from 8 soil catenae such as granite-originated catena and volcanic ash-originated catena were selected for the study; gravel contents of selected soils were 10% or lower. Saturated conductivity (Ks) was measured for each horizon in situ. Particle size distribution and organic matter content of each horizon were also determined. Based on correlation analysis with total data set, sand separate showed positive relationship with Ks (r=0.24 * ) while clay separate had negative relationship with Ks (r=-0.29 ** ). The correlation coefficients of sand, clay, and organic matter content with Ks increased to 0.41 ** , -0.67 *** , and 0.58 *** , respectively, using data from granite- or gneiss-originated catena with exception of volcanic ash-originated catena and sedimentary rock-originated catena. Determination coefficients of PTFs were 0.31 for A horizon, 0.25 for B, and 0.35 for C with all data set while those were 0.74 for A, 0.48 for B, and 0.54 for C. Organic matter was a dominant factor affecting Ks in A horizon but clay content was selected as the only factor influencing Ks in C horizon. It implies that PTFs should be developed with understanding characteristics of parent materials and horizons. Developed PTFs for granite- or gneiss-originated catena were following: A horizon: Log (K s x 10 7 ) = -0.031C + 0.398OM + 3.49 B horizon: Log (K s x 10 7 ) = -0.028C + 0.141OM + 4.05 C horizon: Log (K s x 10 7 ) = -0.072C + 4.66 where C is clay separate (%) and OM is organic matter content (g kg -1 ). The unit of Ks is cm sec -1 .