A01
Structural controls of soil hydraulic properties
Dr. Sara Bauke
University of Bonn | +49-228-73 2965 |
Prof. Dr. Wulf Amelung
University of Bonn | +49-228-73 2780 |
Summary
The hydraulic conductivity function of soils is a key property, controlling the partitioning of water into soil infiltration and surface runoff as well as the flow of water within the soil profile. Structure is an important factor for hydraulic conductivity in the wet range of soil moisture. However, this is currently not well implemented into land surface models, which typically produces incorrect representations of hydraulic conductivity at and near saturation, erroneous estimates of water partitioning at the soil surface especially in extreme events and thereby a misrepresentation of soil and surface water fluxes in the global water cycle. In this project we will therefore assess the effect of soil structure on soil hydraulic conductivity for different climatic, soil and land use setting across Europe. The results will then be incorporated into continental-scale modelling of water and energy cycles.
