Geomorphic controls on the physical and hydrologic properties of soils in a valley floor

The distribution of soil hydraulic and physical properties strongly influences runoff processes in landscapes. Although much work has been done to quantify and predict the properties of hillslope soils, far less is known about the distribution of soil properties in valley floors. A technique that li...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Earth surface processes and landforms 2000-10, Vol.25 (11), p.1161-1179
Main Authors: Butterworth, R., Wilson, C. J., Herron, N. F., Greene, R. S. B., Cunningham, R. B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Australia, New South Wales
Bgi / Prodig
catchment hydrology
Catchments. Hydrological cycle
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
fan
floodplain
Hydrometeorology
Physical geography
soil hydraulic properties
Soils
Surficial geology
toeslope
valley floor
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Summary:The distribution of soil hydraulic and physical properties strongly influences runoff processes in landscapes. Although much work has been done to quantify and predict the properties of hillslope soils, far less is known about the distribution of soil properties in valley floors. A technique that links the estimation and distribution of soil hydraulic properties in valleys, with easily identified geomorphic features, was developed along a 2 km length of a valley at Brooks Creek in New South Wales, Australia. Soil physical and hydraulic property data were collected across a set of floodplain and fan features within the valley and analysed statistically to determine if soil properties varied significantly between geomorphic features and stratigraphic layers. The results show that the depth‐averaged saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks, of the soil varies significantly with landform: fan units have Kg values that are twice that of floodplains and colluvial toeslope deposits have Ks values four times higher than floodplains. Given the notorious variability of Ks values in space, the strong statistical separation of soil properties by landform, backed up by strong separation of soil particle size by landform, suggests a way forward in understanding the distribution of soil properties in valleys and their influence on catchment hydrology. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:0197-9337
1096-9837
DOI:10.1002/1096-9837(200010)25:11<1161::AID-ESP119>3.0.CO;2-X