Soil water (retention)
Soils can process and hold considerable amounts of water. They can take in water, and will keep doing so until they are full, or until the rate at which they can transmit water into and through the pores is exceeded. Some of this water will steadily drain through the soil (via gravity) and end up in the waterways and streams, but much of it will be retained, despite the influence of gravity. Much of this retained water can be used by plants and other organisms, also contributing to land productivity and soil health.[1]
Soil water retention capacity
Pores (the spaces that exist between soil
The maximum amount of water that a given soil can retain is called
The role of soil water retention is profound; its effects are far reaching and relationships are invariably complex. This section focuses on a few key roles and recognizes that it is beyond the scope of this discussion to encompass all roles that can be found in the literature.[tone]
The process by which soil absorbs water and water drains downwards is called percolation.
Soil water retention and organism
Soil water retention is essential to life. It provides an ongoing supply of water to plants between periods of replenishment (
Soil water retention and climate
Soil moisture has an effect on the thermal properties of a soil profile, including conductance and heat capacity.
Recent climate modelling by Timbal et al. (2002)[5] suggests a strong linkage between soil moisture and the persistence and variability of surface temperature and precipitation; further, that soil moisture is a significant consideration for the accuracy of "inter-annular" predications regarding the Australian climate.
Soil water retention, water balance, and other influences
The role of soil in retaining water is significant in terms of the
- Soil water that is not retained or used by plants may continue downward through the profile and contribute to the water table (the permanently saturated zone at the base of the profile); this is termed "recharge". Soil that is at field capacity (among other reasons) may preclude infiltration so to increase overland flow.[citation needed] Both effects are associated with ground and surface water supplies, erosion, and salinity. Plant available water in sandy soils can be increased by the presence of sepiolite clay [6]
- Soil water can affect the structural integrity or coherence of a soil; saturated soils can become unstable and result in structural failure and mass movement. Soil water, its changes over time and management are of interest to geo-technicians and soil conservationists with an interest in maintaining soil stability.
See also
References
- ^ Shao, Xuexin (April 16, 2013). "Nutrient retention in plant biomass and sediments from the salt marsh in Hangzhou Bay estuary, China".
- ^ Melbourne University Press, Melbourne.
- ^ Charman, P.E.V. & Murphy, B.W., 1998. Soils: Their Properties and Management, 5th edn. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
- ^ Methuen & Co.in association with Methuen, Inc. New York.
- ^ Timbal, B., Power, S., Colman, R., Viviand, J., & Lirola, S., 2002. "Does Soil Moisture Influence Climate Variability and Predictability over Australia?" Archived 2014-02-13 at the Wayback Machine Journal of Climate, Volume 15, pp.1230 – 1238. Viewed May 2007.
- S2CID 133773908.
- Young, A. & Young, R., 2001. Soils in the Australian Landscape. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Further reading
- D. H. Wall et al. (editors). 2012. Soil Ecology and Ecosystems Services. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 9780199688166.