Bodengefälle

Bodengefälle describes the inclination or gradient of the ground surface relative to a horizontal plane. It is a fundamental characteristic of terrain that influences how water drains, how soils develop, and how stable landscapes and built structures are. The term is used in geology, geomorphology, hydrology, and civil engineering, particularly in German-language literature, though the concept is universal and often expressed in English as ground slope or terrain gradient.

It is quantified as either a slope percentage or an angle. The slope percentage equals the rise divided by the run multiplied by 100. The angle is the arctangent of the gradient. In practical terms, a gentle Bodengefälle is typically considered up to about 5% (roughly 2–3 degrees), moderate up to 15%, and steeper sections exceed 15%, though exact definitions vary by discipline.

Measurement can be done in the field with a clinometer or slope meter, by surveying with a total station, or by deriving the slope from digital elevation models in a geographic information system. Modern practice often uses GIS and remote sensing to map and analyze Bodengefälle across landscapes.

Understanding Bodengefälle is important for drainage planning, erosion control, agricultural suitability, and infrastructure design. It also helps assess natural hazards such as landslides and slope instability. The gradient interacts with soil properties, rainfall, vegetation, and underlying geology to shape landforms and land-use options.

---