Pedohydrology

Pedohydrology is the study of the interactions between soil and water. It examines how water infiltrates, moves through, and is stored within the soil profile. This field encompasses various aspects of the hydrological cycle as it pertains to the terrestrial environment, including rainfall interception by vegetation, surface runoff generation, subsurface flow, and evaporation from the soil surface. Understanding these processes is crucial for managing water resources, predicting soil erosion, assessing the impact of land use changes on water quality, and optimizing agricultural practices.

Key concepts in pedohydrology include soil texture, soil structure, soil porosity, and hydraulic conductivity. Soil texture, determined by the proportions of sand, silt, and clay, influences pore size and thus water retention and movement. Soil structure, the arrangement of soil particles, also affects porosity and permeability. Soil moisture content, the amount of water held in the soil pores, is a fundamental variable. Pedohydrologists use various methods and tools to measure and model these processes, such as tensiometers, lysimeters, and hydrological models. The study has direct applications in fields like agronomy, environmental science, civil engineering, and hydrology.