Spatial variability of soil hydraulic properties on a steep slope in the loess plateau of China

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The understanding of the structure of the spatial variability of soil surface hydraulic properties on steep slopes is important for modeling infiltration and runoff processes. The objective of this study was to investigate the spatial variability of these properties on a steep slope of the Loess Plateau in northwest China. A 9600 m 2 area was systematically sampled in a grid of 106 points spaced 10 m × 10 m. Hydraulic properties were determined with a disc infiltrometer under multiple pressure heads…