scholarly journals Vegetation Alters Soil Water Drainage and Retention of Replicate Rain Gardens

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3151
Author(s):  
Marie R. Johnston ◽  
Nick J. Balster ◽  
Anita M. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Rain Gardens ◽  
Response Dynamics ◽  
Drainage Volume ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Soil Systems

Rain gardens are residential bioretention practices widely used to manage urban runoff, yet their design as plant-soil systems lacks understanding. We hypothesized that vegetative treatment (turfgrass, prairie, and shrubs, plus a non-vegetated control) would alter the volume and rate of drainage from 12 replicate mesocosms (i.e., rain gardens) through changes to the belowground system. Roof runoff was collected on-site and distributed equally among the mesocosms following natural rain events for two growing seasons. We monitored stormwater input, drainage output, and soil moisture to assess differences in hydrology by treatment, explained by indices of soil structural development (infiltration, saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil water retention). Drainage volume and response dynamics differed as predicted by vegetative treatment in support of our hypothesis. The greatest reductions in drainage volume were observed beneath shrubs and prairie following smaller stormwater inputs, and accelerated drainage responses were observed beneath turfgrass following larger stormwater inputs. Differences in infiltration, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and plant-induced changes in antecedent soil moisture among vegetative treatments help explain these plant-mediated drainage responses. This study shows that plants can alter the hydrologic dynamics of rain gardens and thus are a critical component of the design and intent of these plant-soil systems.

scholarly journals Form and function in hillslope hydrology: in situ imaging and characterization of flow-relevant structures

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 3749-3775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conrad Jackisch ◽  
Lisa Angermann ◽  
Niklas Allroggen ◽  
Matthias Sprenger ◽  
Theresa Blume ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
And Function ◽  
Hillslope Scale

Abstract. The study deals with the identification and characterization of rapid subsurface flow structures through pedo- and geo-physical measurements and irrigation experiments at the point, plot and hillslope scale. Our investigation of flow-relevant structures and hydrological responses refers to the general interplay of form and function, respectively. To obtain a holistic picture of the subsurface, a large set of different laboratory, exploratory and experimental methods was used at the different scales. For exploration these methods included drilled soil core profiles, in situ measurements of infiltration capacity and saturated hydraulic conductivity, and laboratory analyses of soil water retention and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The irrigation experiments at the plot scale were monitored through a combination of dye tracer, salt tracer, soil moisture dynamics, and 3-D time-lapse ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods. At the hillslope scale the subsurface was explored by a 3-D GPR survey. A natural storm event and an irrigation experiment were monitored by a dense network of soil moisture observations and a cascade of 2-D time-lapse GPR trenches. We show that the shift between activated and non-activated state of the flow paths is needed to distinguish structures from overall heterogeneity. Pedo-physical analyses of point-scale samples are the basis for sub-scale structure inference. At the plot and hillslope scale 3-D and 2-D time-lapse GPR applications are successfully employed as non-invasive means to image subsurface response patterns and to identify flow-relevant paths. Tracer recovery and soil water responses from irrigation experiments deliver a consistent estimate of response velocities. The combined observation of form and function under active conditions provides the means to localize and characterize the structures (this study) and the hydrological processes (companion study Angermann et al., 2017, this issue).

scholarly journals Soil Systems for Upscaling Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity for Hydrological Modeling in the Critical Zone

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 170051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zamir Libohova ◽  
Phil Schoeneberger ◽  
Laura C. Bowling ◽  
Phillip R. Owens ◽  
Doug Wysocki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Hydrological Modeling ◽  
Critical Zone ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Systems

scholarly journals Effect of Biochar Application and Re-Application on Soil Bulk Density, Porosity, Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity, Water Content and Soil Water Availability in a Silty Loam Haplic Luvisol

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Toková ◽  
Dušan Igaz ◽  
Ján Horák ◽  
Elena Aydin
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Relative Increase ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Drought ◽  
Silty Loam

Due to climate change the productive agricultural sectors have started to face various challenges, such as soil drought. Biochar is studied as a promising soil amendment. We studied the effect of a former biochar application (in 2014) and re-application (in 2018) on bulk density, porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil water content and selected soil water constants at the experimental site in Dolná Malanta (Slovakia) in 2019. Biochar was applied and re-applied at the rates of 0, 10 and 20 t ha−1. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied annually at application levels N0, N1 and N2. In 2019, these levels were represented by the doses of 0, 108 and 162 kg N ha−1, respectively. We found that biochar applied at 20 t ha−1 without fertilizer significantly reduced bulk density by 12% and increased porosity by 12%. During the dry period, a relative increase in soil water content was observed at all biochar treatments—the largest after re-application of biochar at a dose of 20 t ha−1 at all fertilization levels. The biochar application also significantly increased plant available water. We suppose that change in the soil structure following a biochar amendment was one of the main reasons of our observations.

Modelling leaching and recharge in a bare transitional red-brown earth ponded with low salinity water in summer

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Cai ◽  
SA Prathapar ◽  
HG Beecher
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Rate Dependent ◽  
Water And Salt Movement ◽  
Winter Fallow

A modelling study was conducted to evaluate water and salt movement within a transitional red-brown earth with saline B horizon soil when such waters are used for ponding in summer. The model was calibrated using previously published experimental data. The calibrated model was used to evaluate the effect of depth to watertable, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and ponding water salinity on infiltration, water and salt movement within the soil profile, and recharge. The study showed that when initial soil water content and the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) are low, infiltrating water will be stored within the soil profile even in the absence of a shallow watertable. Once the soil water content is high, however, recharge will be significant in winter, even if there is no net infiltration at the soil surface. Infiltration rates depend more on Ks than the depth to watertable if it is at, or below, 1.5 m from the soil surface. When Ks is high, recharge under ponding will be higher than that under winter fallow. Subsequent ponding in summer and fallow in winter tend to leach salts from the soil profile, the leaching rate dependent on Ks. During winter fallow, due to net evaporation, salts tend to move upwards and concentrate near the soil surface. In the presence of shallow watertables, leached salts tend to concentrate at, or near, the watertable.

COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR DETERMINING SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY AND DRAINABLE POROSITY OF TWO SOUTHERN ALBERTA SOILS

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. BUCKLAND ◽  
D. B. HARKER ◽  
T. G. SOMMERFELDT
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Subsurface Drainage ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Drainage Design ◽  
Moisture Characteristic ◽  
Constant Head ◽  
Subsurface Drains ◽  
Drainable Porosity

Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and drainable porosity (f) determined by different methods and for different depths were compared with those determined from the performance of drainage systems installed at two locations. These comparisons were made to determine which methods are suitable for use in subsurface drainage design. Auger hole and constant-head well permeameter Ks were 140 and 110%, respectively, of Ks determined from subsurface drains. Agreement of horizontal or vertical Ks, from in situ falling-head permeameters; to other methods was satisfactory providing sample numbers were large. Ks by Tempe cells was only 3–10% of drain Ks and in one instance was significantly lower than Ks determined by all other methods. At one site a profile-averaged value of f determined from the soil moisture characteristic curve (0–5 kPa) of semidisturbed cores agreed with that determined from drainage trials. At the other site, a satisfactory value of f was found only when the zone in which the water table fluctuated was considered. Results indicate that Ks determined by the auger hole and constant-head well permeameter methods, and f determined from the soil moisture characteristic curve of semidisturbed cores, are sufficiently reliable and practical for subsurface drainage design. Key words: Subsurface drainage, hydraulic conductivity, drainable porosity

Carbon allocation in Larrea tridentata plant-soil systems as affected by elevated soil moisture and N availability

2014 ◽  
Vol 378 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 227-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul S. J. Verburg ◽  
Sheila E. Kapitzke ◽  
Bryan A. Stevenson ◽  
Marion Bisiaux
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Carbon Allocation ◽  
Larrea Tridentata ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Soil Systems

scholarly journals Soil Physical Attributes Under Eucalyptus stands With Non-living and Living Plants

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 197
Author(s):  
Nayana Alves Pereira ◽  
João Carlos Medeiros ◽  
Julian Júnio de Jesus Lacerda ◽  
Jaqueline Dalla Rosa ◽  
Bruna Anair Souto Dias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Tropical Climate ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Soil Water Storage ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Soil Water Retention Curve ◽  
Planted Forests ◽  
Physical Attributes

The conservation of ecosystems has benefited from planted forests which provide reforested wood reducing the pressure on deforestation of natural forests. Soil physical attributes determine soil water storage capacity; therefore, they play an important role on plant roots’ development which may compromise plant’s survival. The study tested the influence of soil physical and water attributes on the survival of Eucalyptus spp. clones under dry tropical climate. Two areas were selected, including one with living plants and a second with non-living plants of Eucalyptus spp. clones. Moreover, five soil profiles were studied in each area and the parameters estimated were soil bulk density, total porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil water retention curve, pores size distribution, available water capacity, and S index. Soil physical and hydric attributes did not differ between the area with living plants and the one with non-living plants. The saturated hydraulic conductivity in the area surface layer was high for both the living plants and non-living palnts; 331 mm h-1 and 294 mm h-1, respectively. The S index (to give the value) indicated that the structure was suitable for the development of Eucalyptus trees. Furthermore, it was possible to affirm that soil physical and water attributes of the studied areas were promising for the cultivation of Eucalyptus spp. in the dry tropical climate.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document