Soil Infiltration Research Articles

Comparative Analysis between Remote Sensing Burned Area Products in Brazil: A Case Study in an Environmentally Unstable Watershed

Forest fires can profoundly impact the hydrological response of river basins, modifying vegetation characteristics and soil infiltration. This results in a significant increase in surface flow and channel runoff. In response to these effects, many researchers from different areas of earth sciences are committed to determining emergency measures to rehabilitate river basins, intending to restore their functions and minimize damage to soil resources. This study aims to analyze the mapping detection capacity of burned areas in a river basin in Brazil based on images acquired by AMAZÔNIA-1/WFI and the AQ1KM product. The effectiveness of the AMAZÔNIA-1 satellite in this regard is evaluated, given the importance of the subject and the relatively recent introduction of the satellite. The AQ1KM data were used to analyze statistical trends and spatial patterns in the area burned from 2003 to 2023. The U-Net architecture was used for training and classification of the burned area in AMAZÔNIA-1 images. An increasing trend in burned area was observed through the Mann–Kendall test map and Sen’s slope, with the months of the second semester showing a greater occurrence of burned areas. The NIR band was found to be the most sensitive spectral resource for detecting burned areas. The AMAZÔNIA-1 satellite demonstrated superior performance in estimating thematic accuracy, with a correlation of above 0.7 achieved in regression analyses using a 10 km grid cell resolution. The findings of this study have significant implications for the application of Brazilian remote sensing products in ecology, water resources, and river basin management and monitoring applications.

Open-Source Design of Infiltration Trenches for Sustainable Soil and Water Conservation in Rural Areas of Central Chile

Specific algorithms are developed to solve the equations that define the physical dimensions under various conditions. In this sense, the storm index method was incorporated for the variable precipitation intensity, expanding the number of rainfall stations with the intensity duration frequency (IDF) curves from 9 to 31 within the considered territory (the Biobio Region of Central Chile). Likewise, the infiltration values and runoff coefficients necessary for calculating the dimensions of the trenches were obtained using the Python programming language. The results show that an open-source Python solution allows high reliability and efficiency based on the tests developed. For this reason, this prototype is expected to add new mathematical expressions that may arise to better account for an efficient design of soil and water conservation works or infiltration trenches. In this way, it is concluded that it is possible to develop simulation models for the efficient design of trenches based on well-defined and limited theoretical modeling, adding to computer language tools. This allows for a virtuous synergy that can help address efficient public policies to conserve soil and water in Chile and elsewhere.

Stay on trails: Detrimental effects of recreational activities on soil compaction and infiltration

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (BTS-NP) in East Java, Indonesia showcases a breathtaking volcanic landscape and cultural allure, drawing hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors. Recreational activities involving human and animal trampling and motorized-vehicle traffic caused soil disturbance along their networks of paths, trails, or roads, potentially having a detrimental long-term effect on the tourism industry and environmental services provided by the national parks. However, the extent of the impact of these disturbances on soil properties remains unclear. This study assessed the impact of different disturbance intensities, consisting of undisturbed locations as a control (zone 1), low to medium- (zone 2), and high- (zone 3) disturbance intensities on five different BTS-NP tourism hotspots, including Entrance Wonokitri (EW), Whispering Sand (WS), Parking Temple (PT), Teletubbies Hill (TH), and Entrance Bromo Stairs (EB), on soil properties, including soil compaction represented by soil penetration resistance, and soil infiltration. This study revealed that the higher severity impact of recreational activities on soil compaction was parallel with higher disturbance intensity, particularly in EW and TH. In these particular locations, higher soil compaction is significantly linked to lower soil infiltration, thus needing extra attention and protection. Meanwhile, in WS, PT, and EB, soil infiltration was more controlled by the establishment of a cemented topsoil layer consisting of mixed sand, sulfur, and water. Better management strategies, such as the use of proper trails and road infrastructures, particularly on EW and TH, might be relevant to minimize the impact of recreational activities on these ecologically, economically, and culturally important areas.

Effects of Ploughing Techniques on Soil Hydraulic Conductivity and Infiltration Rate

Effects of Ploughing Techniques on Soil Hydraulic Conductivity and Infiltration Rate

Effects of vineyard inter‐row management on soil physical properties and organic carbon in Central European vineyards

AbstractThe intensity and frequency of inter‐row management in vineyards are highly diverse and depend on local environmental conditions and the wine grower's attitude and experience. Reasons for different management include water conservation, weed and pest control, biological activity promotion and soil fertility and biodiversity preservation. We studied different soil cover management in 16 paired vineyards located at eight sites in the Leithaberg and Carnuntum regions of eastern Austria. To this end, we compared inter‐rows with medium intensity (Periodically Mechanically Disturbed) and low intensity (Permanent Green Cover). We investigated the effects of these different management intensities on soil organic carbon, bulk density, saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, pore size distribution and percolation stability in the upper soil layer from 3 to 8 cm. Soil organic carbon and percolation stability were significantly higher and soil bulk density was significantly lower in vineyards with permanent green cover. No significant differences were observed for saturated hydraulic conductivity, pore size distribution and plant available water. This may be attributed to a minor effect as a result of the time lag of up to 2 years since the last tillage. Regression analysis to predict plant‐available water for local vineyard soils also showed that texture, total organic carbon and bulk density were suitable predictor variables. These results suggest that both investigated inter‐row management systems support a good soil structure for winegrowers. Organic carbon content and parameters interacting with organic carbon may still be improved with permanent vegetation cover systems; however, the positive effects on plant available water are limited.

The Influence of Land Use and Slope Variation to Soil Infiltration Rate on Semarang City, Indonesia

Abstract From 2018 to 2022, there have been 3 floods in Gunungpati District. One factor that influences flood in this area is the infiltration rate. Many factors influence infiltration rates, two of them being land use and slope. This study aimed to determine the distribution of land use and slope gradient in Gunungpati District using GIS-based spatial analysis. The results show that land use in the research area is divided into 5 classes: primary and secondary dry land forests; plantations; shrubs and grasslands; dryland farming; and settlements, paddy fields, bodies of water, and open land. Land use is dominated by settlements, paddy fields, bodies of water, and open land (33.7% of the total area). The slopes in the study area are divided into 5 classes: flat (<8%), gentle (8—15%), wavy (15—25%), steep (25—40%), and very steep (>40%). The wavy class dominates the slopes (29.3% of the total area). Based on these results, a moderate infiltration rate dominates the infiltration rate in the study area.

The effects of herbs on the runoff and sediment-producing mechanism in Jinyang Ancient City

Abstract To study the effects of herbs on the runoff and sediment producing mechanism of Jinyang Ancient City, this study used the method of field artificial rainfall experiments to compare the earthen sites slope effects on the runoff producing, sediment producing, and soil infiltration of the plant slope surface in different periods. The conclusions are as follows. The phenomenon of petrichor was related to the withered herb coverage on the surface of the slope. The fluctuation amplitude of the soil volume moisture content was related to its distance to the surface. The runoff producing effects of different slopes were in descending order of Bare Soil slope, Fresh Herbs slope, and Withered Herbs slope. The sediment producing effects were in descending order of Bare Soil slope, Withered Herbs slope, and Fresh Herbs slope. The sediment yield intensity was positively correlated with runoff intensity, but its variation peak lagged slightly behind the latter. The runoff intensity and sediment yield was influenced by the dual effects of rainfall intensity and rainfall time, and sometimes the impact of rainfall time was higher than that of rainfall intensity. A research assistance in can be hopefully provided in this study on protecting earthen sites from rainfall erosion through plant covering.

Effects of grassland vegetation roots on soil infiltration rate in Xiazangtan super large scale landslide distribution area in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, China

In order to study the infiltration characteristics of grassland soil in the super large scale landslides distribution area in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, this study selected the Xiazangtan super large scale distribution area in Jianzha County as the study area. Through experiments and numerical simulations, plant roots characteristics, soil physical properties and infiltration characteristics of naturally grazed grassland and enclosed grassland with different slope directions were compared and analyzed, and the influence of rainfall on seepage field and stability of the two grassland slopes were discussed. The results show that the highest soil moisture infiltration capacity (FIR) is found on the shady slope of the enclosed grassland (2.25), followed by the sunny slope of the enclosed grassland (1.23) and the shady slope of the naturally grazed grassland (−0.87). Correlation analysis show that soil water content, root dry weight density, total soil porosity, number of forks and root length are positively correlated with infiltration rate (P＜0.05), whereas soil dry density is negatively correlated with infiltration rate (P＜0.05). The results of stepwise regression analyses show that soil water content, total soil porosity, root length and number of forks are the main factors affecting soil infiltration capacity. And the ability of roots to increase soil infiltration by improving soil properties is higher than the effect of roots itself. After 60 min of simulated rainfall, the safety factors of the shady slopes of naturally grazed grassland and enclosed grassland are reduced by 29.56% and 19.63%, respectively, comparing to those before rainfall. Therefore, in this study, the roots play a crucial role in regulating soil infiltration and enhance slope stability by increasing soil water content, soil total porosity and shear strength while decreasing soil dry density. The results of this study provide theoretical evidence and practical guidance for the effective prevention and control of secondary geological disasters such as soil erosion and shallow landslide on the slope of river banks in the study area by using plant ecological measures.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of fairy circles in Namibia are driven by rainfall and soil infiltrability

ContextNamibia’s fairy circles (FCs) form an extraordinary vegetation pattern along the Namib Desert. Recent evidence from multiple fieldwork activities is increasingly supporting the view that FCs result from biomass-water feedbacks and plant self-organization.ObjectivesTo shed light on these biomass-water feedbacks, we focused here on a temporal analysis of the spatial FC patterns with regard to vegetation response after rainfall events.MethodsWe analyzed the distribution of FCs in 10 drone-mapped study plots of the Namib and related their spatial patterns to the soil infiltrability. Additionally, we mapped three plots repeatedly during the rainfall seasons 2020–2023 to assess how the emerging grasses within FCs changed the FC patterns after rainfall.ResultsWe found that the most regular, spatially periodic, FCs occurred in areas with deep aeolian sands where rain water infiltrates very quickly and homogenously across the study plot, which enables the most symmetric competitive interactions between the grasses. After ample rainfall following a drought period, between 58 and 34% of all mature FCs revegetated. These 1092 closing FCs were 73 times more than the 15 new FCs that formed during the same time. The closing FCs occurred in areas where there was locally a higher density of FCs, which act as underground water sources for the surrounding grasses.ConclusionsOur study shows that the dynamic vegetation response to rainfall and soil water is the key driver of the FC patterns. Overall, the research underlines that Namibia’s fairy circles are a self-organized emergent vegetation pattern that is driven by biomass-water feedbacks and the competition of grasses for limiting water resources.

Quantifying suitable low-impact development practices in mitigating runoff floods for the Kinyerezi River catchment in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

ABSTRACT As cities expand, changes in land use increase the runoff quantities. Impermeable catchment areas contribute to peak flows, causing floods in insufficiently capacity river reaches. The rate of urbanization witnessed in the Kinyerezi River catchment in Dar es Salaam has contributed to floods in the Msimbazi River. The low-impact development (LID) practices that include bioretention (BR) ponds, rain barrels (RBs), rain gardens (RGs), vegetative swales (VSs), constructed wetlands (CWs), etc., can be utilized to mitigate a portion of the surface runoff. This study aims to quantify the suitable LID practices for the Kinyerezi River catchment in mitigating a portion of runoff floods. The sub-catchment physical characteristics and soil infiltration rates (Ks) were matched with each LID sitting requirements and later by multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM). The results on matching sub-catchment characteristics and LID sitting requirements indicated that BRs, RBs, VSs, RGs, and CWs were the preferable LIDs while MCDM analysis indicated the BRs, RGs, and RBs more appropriate. The BRs, RGs, and RBs were quantified to be 101, 3,698, and 3,698, respectively, within the catchment. BRs are recommended for catchment use while RBs and RGs are recommended for residential buildings. The RBs have the advantage of promoting water-demanding economic activities.

Optimizing placement of bioretention systems in the US Puget Sound region

AbstractThe Puget Sound Basin, US Pacific Northwest, is experiencing rapid population and urban growth. This growth adversely impacts local ecosystems, especially the spawning and rearing habitat for several salmonid species. Sustainable urban design strategies such as green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) are required in the region to manage stormwater onsite when new development occurs. However, the effectiveness of any GSI depends on its location relative to where stormwater is produced. This study aimed to develop a Geographic Information System (GIS)‐based framework for the optimal placement of GSI, specifically bioretention systems. We computed the Hydrologic Sensitivity Index (λHSI, indicating runoff generation potential at a landscape location) for the lower Puyallup River Watershed study area. The index and federal and state feasibility criteria were used to identify suitable sites for bioretention systems. The suitability of identified sites was verified through ground‐truthing, including soil sampling and infiltration testing. We found that 2.5% of the watershed area was suitable for bioretention, concentrated in the center and north of the study watershed. The method described in this study can be readily applied to watersheds for which spatial data (topography, soil, and land use) are available. We recommend choosing locations with high λHSI when resources are limited since these locations contribute most to runoff generation and urban flooding.

A physical-based semi-distributed continuous hydrological modelling for Brahmani River Basin, Eastern India

ABSTRACT This paper describes a case study of continuous hydrologic modeling in the Brahmani River basin in India using the Hydrologic Engineering Center—Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC–HMS). The soil moisture algorithm (SMA) was employed as loss method for continuous simulations in the thirteen sub-basins. The sensitivity analysis showed that soil storage, tension storage and soil percolation are most sensitive parameters. The model performance was assessed for calibration period of 15 years (1990–2004) and validation period of 12 years (2005–2016), using statistical and visual evaluation techniques. During the calibration period, the observed and simulated values showed a good fit, with R2 ranging from 0.67 to 0.74, NSE from 0.66 to 0.72, and PBIAS from −8.5 to −9.5%. Similar performances are obtained during the validation period, with R2 ranging from 0.62 to 0.70, NSE from 0.60 to 0.68, and PBIAS from −2.5 to 21.4%. The results of the SMA procedure employed in the HEC-HMS model give valuable information for flood control and water supply management in the Brahmani Basin and similar other regions in Eastern India.

Influence of Long-Term Mulched Drip Irrigation on Upward Capillary Water Movement Characteristics in the Saline–Sodic Region of Northwest China

Capillary water, serving as a crucial intermediary between groundwater and crop root layer moisture, is important for both soil retention and crop utilization. To investigate the effect of mulched drip irrigation (MDI) on upward capillary water in cotton fields with different application years (0, 10, 14, 18, 20, and 24 years) in the saline–sodic region of Northwest China, an indoor soil column test (one-dimensional capillary water rise experiment) was conducted. The results showed that the wetting front transport law, capillary water recharge, and wetting front transport rate over time exhibited an increasing trend in the early stages of MDI application (10 and 14 years), peaking at 18 years of application, followed by a decreasing trend. The relationship between the capillary water recharge and rising height was fitted based on the Green–Ampt model, and their slopes reveal that 14 and 18 years of MDI application required the largest amount of water per unit distance, indicating an excellent water-holding capacity beneficial for plant growth. Conversely, 0 years required the smallest amount of water per unit distance. Based on the movement characteristics of upper capillary water, we confirmed that the MDI application years (0–18 years) improves soil infiltration capacity, while the long-term application years (18–24 years) reduces groundwater replenishment to the soil. Furthermore, the HYDRUS-1D model was employed to simulate the capillary water rise process and soil moisture distribution under different MDl application years. The results showed an excellent consistency with the soil column experiments, confirming the accuracy of HYDRUS-1D in simulating the capillary water dynamics in saline–sodic areas. The results would provide suggestions to achieve the sustainable development of long-term drip-irrigated cotton fields.

Influences of Vegetation Rehabilitation on Soil Infiltrability and Root Morphological Characteristics in Coastal Saline Soil

Influences of Vegetation Rehabilitation on Soil Infiltrability and Root Morphological Characteristics in Coastal Saline Soil

CLASS STUDY AND MAP OF FLOOD VULNERABILITY LEVELS IN THE KRUENG JREUE SUB WATERSHED ACEH Besar

The increasing intensity of land conversion in the Krueng Jreue Aceh Besar Sub-watershed due to changes in land use causes changes in the biophysical characteristics of the land. Changes in the biophysical characteristics of land cause an increase in the level of flood vulnerability. This research uses a descriptive method (survey). The research results show: The variables determining the level of flood vulnerability are based on the biophysical aspects of the land, namely: dynamic factors (rainfall, land use) and static factors (soil infiltration, slope slope). Flood Vulnerability Level Classes and Maps (TKB), consisting of: Very Vulnerable, residential areas, rice fields (42≤TKB≤50); Vulnerable, moor (34≤TKB≤41); and Medium, open land, shrubs, grasslands, secondary forests, primary forests (26≤TKB≤33), average 32.38 (medium class).Primary forests and secondary forests in non-cultivation areas, covering an area of ​​12,598.00 ha or 54.26% of the total area of ​​the Krueng Jreue Sub-watershed (23,218.06 ha), have the lowest level of flood vulnerability. Flood disasters occur in November-December, when rainfall is high, which causes residents to be exposed, physical and economic losses and land damage.

Distinct variations of soil infiltrability of contrasting root types in a temperate mosaic-pattern grassland in northern China

Soil infiltration capacity is an important factor affecting soil moisture, and is of great significance to plant growth and groundwater recharge in arid and semiarid areas. Patchiness of grasslands widely exist and have a crucial effect on hydrological processes in water-limited regions. This study investigated soil infiltrability under natural grasslands with patchy mosaic patterns based on a series of in-situ tests. Two dominated natural restoration vegetation communities (Bothriochloa ischaemum (B. ischaemum) with fibrous root systems and Artemisia gmelinii (A. gmelinii) with tap root systems) and abandoned land (as control) were selected in the loess hilly and gully region of the Loess Plateau, China. The results showed that natural restoration grasslands significantly improved soil infiltrability in both plant and bare patches, and the emergence of patchy mosaic patterns can result in infiltration heterogeneity to redistribute water on a hillslope scale. Compared to B. ischaemum, A. gmelinii are more likely to facilitate the formation of preferential flow, contributing to the increased soil infiltration rates. The initial, steady and average infiltration rates (IIR, SIR, and AIR, respectively) and soil infiltration capacity index (SIC) were all negatively correlated with both root length density (RLD) and root surface area density (RSAD) of fine roots (diameter < 2 mm) but positively correlated with those of coarse roots (diameter ≥ 2 mm). The main factors influencing the infiltration capacity were the mean weight diameter in the 10−20 cm layer and the RSAD of the fine roots in the 0−20 cm layer, which can explain 98.6 %, 81.7 %, 63.9 %, and 91.3 % of the total variance of IIR, SIR, AIR, and SIC, respectively. This work highlights the important roles of patchy mosaic patterns in affecting soil water redistribution and the stabilization of ecological systems, providing a scientific basis for vegetation selection in the process of vegetation restoration in water-limited regions.

Mechanical Behavior of Pile Foundations Associated with Water Infiltration in Unsaturated Collapsible Soils

Mechanical Behavior of Pile Foundations Associated with Water Infiltration in Unsaturated Collapsible Soils

Vegetation at the former open-pit Ningyo-toge mine, 36 years after closure treatment: Impact of soil cover on woody plant establishment and dominance of the perennial herb Miscanthus sinensis

Soil cover is a prevailing method used at mine sites to ensure the safety of hazardous materials and restore ecological functions when the base materials are unfavorable for plant growth. The former open-pit Ningyo-toge Mine was backfilled with overburden and neutralized smelting residues and covered with soil in 1987. After 36 years, the vegetation remained dominated by the perennial herb Miscanthus sinensis, and woody plant establishment did not progress successfully. This study investigated the factors that inhibited woody plant establishment at the site. The soil profile survey revealed that the soil cover formed Bg horizons (pseudogley soil) with cloudy mottling, representative of poorly drained soil. In the Bg horizon, woody plant roots of Pinus densiflora and Weigela hortensis exhibited growth inhibition. Elemental analysis revealed that in the Bg horizon the roots of P. densiflora and W. hortensis accumulated high Fe concentrations exceeding 10,000 mg/kg DW at critical levels. Our results suggested that woody plant roots in the Bg horizon may have suffered from chronic oxygen deficiency accompanied by excessive Fe stress in the soil cover. Topsoil water content (<50 mm) and microtopographic features were not critical factors disrupting woody plant establishment because some individuals were growing in areas with high soil water content, exceeding 60%. Considering that woody plant roots were developed primarily in the shallow A horizon, A horizon formation by M. sinensis is a key step in initiating woody plant establishment by improving the soil structure and physiochemical characteristics of the soil cover, such as carbon content, exchangeable nutrients, and air-filled porosity. For successful mine pollution control and vegetation recovery, implementing an appropriate topsoil system, such as native forest soil, loosely graded and minor infiltration layer above the overburden would be necessary.

A hydrologic signature approach to analysing wildfire impacts on overland flow

AbstractPost‐fire flooding and debris flows are often triggered by increased overland flow resulting from wildfire impacts on soil infiltration capacity and surface roughness. Increasing wildfire activity and intensification of precipitation with climate change make improving understanding of post‐fire overland flow a particularly pertinent task. Hydrologic signatures, which are metrics that summarize the hydrologic regime of watersheds using rainfall and runoff time series, can be calculated for large samples of watersheds relatively easily to understand post‐fire hydrologic processes. We demonstrate that signatures designed specifically for overland flow reflect changes to overland flow processes with wildfire that align with previous case studies on burned watersheds. For example, signatures suggest increases in infiltration‐excess overland flow and decrease in saturation‐excess overland flow in the first and second years after wildfire in the majority of watersheds examined. We show that climate, watershed and wildfire attributes can predict either post‐fire signatures of overland flow or changes in signature values with wildfire using machine learning. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), air temperature, amount of developed/undeveloped land, soil thickness and clay content were the most used predictors by well‐performing machine learning models. Signatures of overland flow provide a streamlined approach for characterizing and understanding post‐fire overland flow, which is beneficial for watershed managers who must rapidly assess and mitigate the risk of post‐fire hydrologic hazards after wildfire occurs.

Assessing the Influence of Soil Physical Properties on the Puddling Quality: A Comprehensive Review

Puddling is a crucial step in rice cultivation, extensively practiced by farmers in Asia for its role in softening soil, aiding in transplanting, and enhancing water and nutrient management. However, the alteration of soil properties by puddling raises concerns about its long-term sustainability. This comprehensive review systematically examines the impact of puddling on soil parameters such as soil texture, bulk density, penetration resistance, hydraulic conductivity, puddling index, and percolation rate. By synthesizing existing literature, the review aims to inform sustainable agricultural practices and effective soil management strategies amidst escalating global concerns. The complexities of puddling's influence on soil structure underscore the need to consider variables like soil texture and aggregate stability. Sustainable practices such as organic manure application offer potential solutions to address puddling-induced compaction, thereby enhancing soil quality and rice production efficiency. Optimizing tillage methods and improving hydraulic conductivity are essential components of effective soil management strategies for sustainable rice cultivation. Additionally, assessing puddling quality through indices like the puddling index and optimizing percolation rates are vital steps toward improving water management and overall productivity in rice farming.