Ponded infiltration in a grid of permanent single-ring infiltrometers: Spatial versus temporal variability

Abstract

Temporal variability of the soil hydraulic properties is still an open issue. The present study deals with results of ponded infiltration experiments performed annually in a grid of permanent measurement points (18 spatial and 14 temporal replicates). Single ring infiltrometers were installed in 2003 at a meadow site in the Bohemian Forest highlands, the Czech Republic. The soil at the plot is coarse sandy loam classified as oligotrophic Eutric Cambisol. Soil water flow below infiltration rings has distinctly preferential character.

Keywords

• soil infiltrability
• infiltration instability
• infiltration modes
• burrowing animals
• preferential flow