Topographic controls upon soil macropore flow

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
The spatial distribution of macropore flow as a proportion of saturated hydraulic conductivity was tested on six humid-temperate slopes, located in northern England, using transects of tension infiltrometer measurements. Two slopes were covered with blanket peat, two with stagnohumic gleys and two with brown earth soils. None of the slopes had been disturbed by agricultural activity within the last 20 years. The proportion of near-surface macropore flow to saturated hydraulic conductivity was found to vary according to slope position. The spatial patterns were not the same for all hillslopes. The roles of macropore creation and macropore infilling by sheet wash are discussed, and it is noted that the combination of these may result in distinctive topographically controlled spatial patterns of macropore flow.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2009, vol. 34, n°. 3, p. 345-351, nombre de pages : 7, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2009

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley