LAND USE AND SLOPE POSITION EFFECT ON THE HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SANDY LOAM SOILS OF KOUPENDRI CATCHMENT, NORTH-WEST OF BENIN

Abstract

Background. Land use and landscape characteristics influence soil hydrological properties and catchment hydrology. Objective. To investigate the effect of land use and slope positions on soil hydrological properties. Methodology. The study was done in Koupendri catchment, northwest Benin. The experimental design was a 2x2 factorial scheme replicated ten times. The study considered two land use types and two slope positions. The soil texture was sandy loam with high gravel (50-71%) and low organic carbon (11-18.4 g/kg) contents. Results. The Ksat in-situ and steady state infiltration were significantly (p , 14θf"> , and Ksat in-situ and very high (>50%) for Ksat-Lab. Conclusion. Land use significantly influenced soil hydrological properties

Keywords

• soil-water management
• infiltrometer
• hillslope
• hydrology
• landscape