Abstract

Soil infiltration is critical for water security and related ecosystem services. This infiltration, the ability of soils to absorb water at their surface, is controlled by the soil hydraulic conductivity. Despite recent efforts in assembling measurements of soil hydraulic conductivity, global databases and derived pedotransfer functions lack coverage in the tropics. Here, we present soil infiltration measurements and other indicators of soil and land health collected systematically in 3,573 plots from 83 100 km2 sites across 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. We use these data to (a) determine field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) and (b) explore which variables best predict variation in Kfs. Our results show that sand content, soil organic carbon (SOC), and woody cover had a positive relationship with Kfs, whereas grazing intensity and soil pH had a negative relationship. Our findings highlight that, despite soil texture being important, structure also plays a critical role. These results indicate considerable potential to improve soil hydrological functioning through management and restoration practices that target soil structure. Enhancing SOC content, limiting animal stocking, promoting trees, shrubs, and other vegetation cover, and preventing soil erosion can increase Kfs and improve water security. This data set can contribute to improving Earth system and land surface models for applications in Africa.We present field infiltration measurements and accompanying indicators of soil and land health from 3,573 plots across sub-Saharan Africa Field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) is associated with soil texture and factors related to soil structure Our results suggest that soil hydrological functioning can be enhanced through management practices that target soil structure

Keywords

soil infiltration; soil hydraulic conductivity; soil hydrological functioning; soil texture and structure; sub-Saharan Africa; restoration and management practices

Published in

Water Resources Research
2024, Volume: 60, number: 1, article number: e2023WR035510

SLU Authors

• Bargues Tobella, Aida

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts


UKÄ Subject classification

Soil Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR035510

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/128205