Band 64, Heft 3

Soil water repellency in golf putting greens may induce preferential “finger flow”, leading to enhanced leaching of surface applied agrochemicals such as fungicides and nitrate. We examined the effects of root zone composition and the use of the non-ionic surfactant Revolution on soil water repellency, soil water content distributions, infiltration rates, turf quality, and fungicide and nitrate leaching from April 2007 to April 2008. The study was made on 4-year-old experimental green seeded with creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) ‘Penn A-4’ at Landvik in southeast Norway. Eight lysimeters with two different root zone materials: (i) straight sand (1% gravel, 96% sand, 3% silt and clay, and 4 g kg−1 organic matter) (SS) and (ii) straight sand mixed with Sphagnum peat to an organic matter content of 25 g kg−1 (SP) were used in this study. Surfactant treatment reduced the spatial variability of water contents, increased infiltration rates and reduced water drop penetration times (WDPTs) by on average 99% in and just below the thatch layer. These effects were most evident for SS lysimeters. Surfactant treatment resulted on average in an 80% reduction of total fungicide leaching, presumably due to reduced preferential finger flow facilitated by decreased soil water repellency. Peat amendment reduced fungicide leaching by 90%, probably due to increased sorption of the fungicides to organic matter. Nitrate leaching was also smaller from surfactant-treated straight-sand root zones, but this effect was not significant.

Over-grazing and large-scale monocultures on the Loess plateau in China have caused serious soil erosion by water and wind. Grassland revegetation has been reported as one of the most effective counter measures. Therefore, we investigated soil aggregation, aggregate stability and soil microbial activities as key parameters for soil remediation through grassland revegetation. The results showed that soil microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and microbial biomass nitrogen (Nmic) increased under revegetated grass communities compared to cropland and overgrazed pastures and were higher in surface layers (0–10 cm) than in the subsurface (10–20 cm). Although there are variations between the four investigated grassland communities, their values were 10 to 50 times higher in comparison to the cropland and overgrazed pastures, similar to the increase in soil enzyme activities, such as β-glucosidase and β-glucosaminidase. Soil aggregate stability (SAS) showed clear differences between the different land uses with two main soil aggregate fractions measured by ultra sound: < 63 μm and 100–250 μm, with approximately 70% and 10% of the total soil volume respectively. We also found positive correlations between SAS and soil microbial parameters, such as Cmic, Nmic, and soil enzyme activities. From this, we concluded that revegetation of eroded soils by grasses accelerates soil rehabilitation.

This study describes the effect of soil fauna and vegetation on the development of landscapes and how these actually control soil formation, geomorphological development and hydrological response. The study area is located in a semi-natural deciduous forest on marl in Luxembourg, with a strong texture contrast in the soil at 15–25 cm depth (luvic planosols). The methodology applied is both based on hydrological and geomorphological field measurements on runoff, sediment yield, perched water table dynamics, geomorphological survey, pedological survey and measurements related to in situ ectorganic horizon dynamics and litter decay, soil animal activity, as well as measurements of dynamic soil properties such as soil moisture and swelling and shrinkage. The results show that there is a positive feedback between tree type, soil fauna activity and the development of pipes, partial areas, soils and geomorphology. The landscape can be divided into two main types: Areas where Stellario-Carpinetum vegetation and partial areas are common and areas with Milio-Fagetum vegetation on dry slopes, which are differentiating more and more over time as a result of ongoing geo-ecosystem processes, and which also reflected in their sediment yield. The hydrological response is highly different for both landscape compartments as they are dominated by matrix (Beech) and pipe flow (Hornbeam) respectively. Soil fauna and tree type drive both soil and geomorphological evolution and they both can be considered as important ecosystem engineers.

Biome models of the global climate-vegetation relationships indicate that most of the Brazilian Amazon has potential for being covered by tropical forests. From current land-use processes observed in the region, however, substantial deforestation and fire activity have been verified in large portions of the region, particularly along the Arc of Deforestation. In a first attempt to evaluate the long-term potential for tropical-forest degradation due to deforestation and fires in the Brazilian Amazon, we analysed large-scale data on fire activity and climate factors that drive the distribution of tropical forests in the region. The initial analyses and results from this study lead to important details on the relations between these quantities and have important implications for building future parameterizations of the vulnerability of tropical forests in the region.

In recent years, a polymer tensiometer (POT) was developed and tested to directly measure matric potentials in dry soils. By extending the measurement range to wilting point (a 20-fold increase compared to conventional, water-filled tensiometers), a myriad of previously unapproachable research questions are now open to experimental exploration. Furthermore, the instrument may well allow the development of more water-efficient irrigation strategies by recording water potential rather than soil water content. The principle of the sensor is to fill it with a polymer solution instead of water, thereby building up osmotic pressure inside the sensor. A high-quality ceramic allows the exchange of water with the soil while retaining the polymer. The ceramic has pores sufficiently small to remain saturated even under very negative matric potentials. Installing the sensor in an unsaturated soil causes the high pressure of the polymer solution to drop as the water potentials in the soil and in the POT equilibrate. As long as the pressure inside the polymer chamber remains sufficiently large to prevent cavitation, the sensor will function properly. If the osmotic potential in the polymer chamber can produce a pressure of approximately 2.0 MPa when the sensor is placed in water, proper readings down to wilting point are secured. Various tests in disturbed soil, including an experiment with root water uptake, demonstrate the operation and performance of the new polymer tensiometer and illustrate how processes such as root water uptake can be studied in more detail than before. The paper discusses the available data and explores the long term perspectives offered by the instrument.

Soil aggregates can provide an effective protection of organic matter against microbial decomposition as reported by several macroaggregate disruption studies. However, research on the role of aggregation for carbon mineralization was mainly focused on arable soils. In the present study we aim to clarify the impact of aggregation on organic matter protection by measuring carbon mineralization in terms of microbial respiration rates of intact macroaggregates (2–4 and 4–8 mm) and corresponding crushed aggregates from seven topsoil horizons from both arable and forest sites. For two arable and one forest soil we found a significantly (P < 0.001) lower carbon mineralization from intact aggregates as compared to the corresponding crushed material. The portion of aggregate protected carbon reached up to 30% for a grassland soil. For the other arable and forest soils no significant effect of aggregation was found. Similarly, no clear trend could be found for the protective capacity of different size fractions. We conclude that protection by aggregation is effective primarily for soils with a large pool of labile organic matter regardless of their usage as arable land or forest.

The aim of this paper is to clarify the effect of soil management and thus also of soil aggregation on physical and chemical properties of structured soils both on a bulk soil scale, for single aggregates, as well as for homogenized material. Aggregate formation and aggregate strength depend on swelling and shrinkage processes and on biological activity and kinds of organic exudates as well as on the intensity, number and time of swelling and drying events. Thus, soil management like conventional or conservation tillage alter not only the mechanical strength but also the pore continuity and the hydraulic, gas and heat fluxes, and also alter the accessibility of exchange places for nutrients and for carbon storage (global change aspects). The possibility to predict physical properties on these various scales depends on the rigidity of the pore system. In general this rigidity depends on the above-mentioned physical and chemical processes both with respect to intensity and frequency, which again are linked to the soil management systems.

The hydrologic cycle in Slovakia is determined mainly by three basic components: precipitation (P), evapotranspiration (E) and runoff (R). The mean annual P total was 747 mm, E sum 476 mm and the mean R was 271 mm in Slovakia in 1951–1980 (E ≈ 0.65P and R ≈ 0.35P). T increase in 1.6°C and annual P decrease in 24 mm (3.1%) were detected in the 1881–2007 period. Regimes of potential and actual evapotranspiration, soil moisture and R have been changed mainly in the southern Slovakia. A physical model for the estimation of the energy balance equation components (total radiation balance and its components, potential and actual evapotranspiration, sensible heat flux) has been developed. Input data are the air temperature and humidity, cloudiness, the number of days with snow cover and precipitation, all measured in the network of 31 meteorological stations in Slovakia since 1951. The 20-year period 1988–2007 was by 0.9°C warmer than the normal period mean. The observed increase is at the upper limit of all climate change scenarios projected for Slovakia in 1991–2001. Annual P totals have not changed significantly, but substantial changes have been found in the P regime. The scenarios show significant changes in the hydrological cycle not only at river basins balance but also in case of soil water balance, mainly in the southern Slovakia.

Understanding the factors influencing the transport of microbial pathogens, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli, through porous media is critical to protecting drinking water supplies. The production of biofilms, along with individual biofilm-associated components, such as tafi, is believed to hinder transport of microorganisms through soil. This study investigated the relationship between biofilm formation and tafi production and the transport of environmental Salmonella through porous media. Thirty-two Salmonella isolates were initially assayed for their ability to form biofilms, from which a subset of these was selected to represent a range of high and low biofilm-formation potential and tafi formation capabilities. These were subsequently examined in unsaturated sand columns for transport characteristics. No obvious correlation was observed between Salmonella phenotypes and column retention. The results indicated that while transport of well-characterized laboratory E. coli strains can often be hindered by the presence of tafi and the potential to form biofilms, the presence of tafi did not retard the transport of the Salmonella strains.

A large number of modifications or special modules of the HYDRUS software packages have been developed during the past several years to evaluate the effects of a range of biohydrological processes on subsurface water flow and the transport of various chemicals and contaminants. The objective of this manuscript is to briefly review the different modules that were included, and to present various applications illustrating the effects of biological processes on water flow and solute transport and reactions in variably-saturated media.

During rainfall events, macropores are generally considered to play a dominant role in infiltration after matrix ponding has occurred. Once ponding has been initiated on the soil matrix, surface runoff may be generated at rainfall intensities less than the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil. The amount of runoff will depend on detention storage and how efficiently the surface flow is captured by soil macropores. The efficiency of surface water removal by macropores is diminished if surface vents become clogged sealed by washed-in sediment during the runoff event. Post-event opening of surface vents by the animals that created them can remove evidence of the sealing process and so it is particularly important to examine the temporal stability of the soil surface during rainfall events. In this paper evidence of macropore clogging and post-event clearing of the surface vents is presented. A fine sandy loam passed through a 2 mm diameter sieve was packed into two boxes, each with a surface area of 0.5 m2. The boxes were irrigated at 28 mm h−1 using a low energy rainfall sprinkler. This application rate exceeded the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil matrix. After measuring runoff and infiltration from the boxes, one box was held as a control and the second was inoculated with earthworms. After four weeks the inoculated box had a burrow density at the soil surface of 380 m−2, with an average diameter of 5 mm. Macropore sealing occurred immediately after ponding and runoff from the macroporous soil was only 10.7% less than a control with no macropores. Within 24 h after cessation of simulated rainfall the earthworms had cleared washed in material from over 95% of burrow vents. Time to matrix ponding was well predicted using hydraulic parameters characteristic of the soil matrix, indicating that matrix sealing was not significant under the experimental conditions.

Water deficit and salt accumulation in soil presents serious problems to crop production in semi-arid regions. These problems depend on the active transpiration stream and the selective absorption of ions by crop roots. In this study, a large sized soil column system was used to examine the dynamics of water and ion transport and salt accumulation in soil layers. Special reference was placed on the effects of the active and selective absorption by roots of different crops (i.e., corn plants, sunflower plants and no plants). The column system was equipped with on-line systems for the control of groundwater level. Soil water content sensors enabled time-course evaluations of the volumetric water content and hence upward flux of the groundwater in the soils at different depths. Furthermore, the distribution and accumulation of ions in soil layers, plant organs and xylem sap were analyzed using ion chromatography. In this column experiment, diurnal and longer term changes in water movement and ion accumulation in soil, affected by root absorption characteristics of plants, were evaluated quantitatively. The results demonstrated that the column system was applicable for the quantitative analysis of the effects of root absorption by different crops on water deficit and salinization in soils.

A model of soil hydrology incorporating rainfall interception and macropore flow, which are representative biohydorologic processes, (BBH-B model) has two composite parameters, Π and Φ. These parameters express the ratios of rainfall interception and macropore flow to gross rainfall, respectively. Their values, however, change widely with the vegetation, soil texture and wetness. The results of experiments that have been carried out for various objectives under various conditions by the present authors were reanalyzed to evaluate these two parameters. Further, two supplemental experiments were designed to identify the two parameters. In the experiments, the monthly mean of Π for a cornfield ranged from 0.18 to 0.64 in the summer months, while Φ for a weed-grown field reached a maximum of 0.8 when daily rainfall was more than 40 mm day−1. From these analyses and experiments, we concluded that the effects of biohydrologic processes on the water balance of crop fields are rather large and not negligible.

The impact of heating on the peristence of water repellency, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and water retention characteristics was examined on soils from both forest and meadow sites in southwest Slovakia shortly after a wet spell. The top 5 cm of meadow soils had an initial water drop penetration time WDPT at 20°C of 457 s, whereas WDPT in the pine forest was 315 s for the top 5 cm and 982 s if only the top 1 cm was measured. Heating soils at selected temperatures of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300°C caused a marked drop in water drop penetration time WDPT from the initial value at 20°C. However, samples collected in different years and following an imposed cycle of wetting and drying showed much different trends, with WDPT sometimes initially increasing with temperature, followed by a drop after 200–300°C. The impact of heating temperature on the saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil was small. It was found for both the drying and wetting branches of soil water retention curves that an increase in soil water repellency resulted in a drop in soil water content at the same matric potential. The persistence of soil water repellency was strongly influenced by both the sampling site and time of sampling, as it was characterized by the results of WDPT tests.

In a river, the flow directly affects the physical and chemical properties of its water, with further consequences for aquatic biota. Land use practices and vegetation cover play a significant role in the water cycle. The wide-spread perception of forest cover, in terms of hydrology is that forests may reduce water runoff: although in rare instances the contrary has been reported. Water runoff varies seasonally and depends on the forest tree species. By no means can it be considered constant over large expanses of area or for various rainfall patterns. In this paper, the results of a long-term hydrological survey conducted in two experimental microbasins (operated by the Institute of Hydrology SAS, IH SAS) with different land use practices are presented. The Rybárik microbasin (0.119 km2) is dominated by row crop production. The basin was 70% cultivated by the state farm and 30% by a private farm. The Lesný microbasin (0.086 km2) is covered by a deciduous hornbeam regrowth forest (Carpinus betulus). The analysis revealed that the difference in the runoff from the forest and the agricultural land increases with increasing precipitation; however, at some point (extreme precipitations with low probability) the runoff from these basins is nearly equal.

Samples of rime/fog water and dust in the air were collected in order to compare concentrations of pollutants. Particular attention was paid to particles of heavy metals (Al, As, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ti and Zn). The concentrations of pollutants from the air are different in rime water and fog water. Both (fog) water and ice crystals fixed Ti, Cu, As and Pb ions minimally (less than 1%). Rime captured 11.6% Al, 9.3% Zn, 4.4% Fe and 91.2% Mn from the air. Fog water absorbed 9.8% Al, 9.0% Fe, 55.6% Mn, and 48.7% Zn from the air. Fog water absorbed Zn much better (48.7%) than rime (9.3%). Rime absorbed Mn better (91.2%) than fog water (55.6%).

In this study the possible effects of two predicted climate change scenarios on soil water regime of Hungarian Calcic Chernozem soils has been investigated. Soil profiles classified as Calcic Chernozem — in total 49 — were selected from the MARTHA soil physical database that incorporates soil data at national scale. These profiles were subdivided into three groups (sandy loam, loam and clayey loam) in accordance with their mechanical composition. Soil water retention curves were scaled separately for each of the three textural groups, using similar media scaling in order to represent the variability of soil hydrophysical data with one parameter, the scaling factor (SF). Reference soil profiles were chosen according to the cumulative distribution function of the scaling factor, six for each textural group. Daily downscaled meteorological data from A2 and B2 climate scenarios of the Hadley Centre (2070–2100) and data from a reference period (RF, 1961–1990) were used in this study to characterize different climatic situations. Nine representative years were selected in case of all the three scenarios, using the cumulative probability function of the annual precipitation sum. Scenario analyses were performed, validating the SWAP soil water balance simulation model for the 18 reference soil profiles and 27 representative years in order to evaluate the expected changes in soil water regime under different from the present (RF) climatic conditions (A2 and B2 scenarios). Our results show that the scaling factor could be used as a climate sensitivity indicator of soil water regime. The large climate sensitivity of the majority of Chernozem soil subtypes water regime has been proven.

In undulating or sloping land, water distribution in soil has a major influence on crop yield through stresses on vegetation. It is difficult to predict the impacts, however, so a crop model is required to simulate topography-related horizontal redistribution of summer precipitation and its effect on yield. This study uses a potato model (POMOD), operating with the concept of meteorologically possible yield (MPY). It was supplemented to assess precipitation redistribution by runoff on a sloping surface. Slope incline, soil moisture and rainfall intensity were environmental parameters, with rainfall intensities replaced empirically with more convenient daily rainfall sums. Differences in the water balance, as compared to a non-sloping level surface, were computed for three different parts of a notional slope 3°. Modelled differences from long-term meteorological data allowed computation of comparative long-term series of MPY in two climatologically different localities in Estonia. These were the generally moister Tallinn and the frequently dry Kuressaare regions. The locations responded differently, but there was a significant influence in both of slope on potato yield. In the frequently dry Kuressaare, yield was limited by water deficiency, as was characterized by the change in MPY through slope. However, the moister Tallinn had the worst growing conditions at the foothill due to excess water. Tallinn had the greatest topography-related differences, leading to the conclusion that excess water causes more loss in potato yield than drought in Estonia. Events of extreme rainfall drive these losses.

The canopy transpiration of mountain mixed forest was investigated during summer 2006 at research plot Smrekovec in Tatra National Park in Slovakia after heavy windstorm in November 2004 on the area of 12,000 hectares. The research plot is situated in untouched forest at altitude 1249 m on the southern-east oriented slope. The forest is mixed with 80% of spruce trees and 20% of larch trees with rich under storey vegetation, 120 years old, 7th altitudinal vegetation stage. Whole tree sap flow based on up to dated stem tissue heat balance method was continuously measured in nine 120-years old larch and spruce trees. Stem basal area was used for tree-canopy up-scaling. Meteorological parameters were measured on the top of eddy stuff tower above investigated forest. Two virtual monocultures were assumed for characterizing of both species. The sap flow and tree transpiration were calculated for the whole measured period for both spruce and larch virtual forests.

Drought is a world-spread problem seriously influencing crop production. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) association and soil microorganisms can help plant growth under water stress condition by improvement of its nutrient and water uptake. In this experiment, onion plants (Allium cepa L. cv. Red Azar Shahr) were inoculated with three AM fungi species (Glomus versiforme, G. intraradices, G. etunicatum) or left un-inoculated as non-mycorrhizal plants, in a sterile or non-sterile sandy loam soil. Plants were irrigated at 7, 9 or 11-day intervals to keep the soil moisture content to field capacity at the irrigation time. Mycorrhizal root colonization decreased (p < 0.05) with an increase in irrigation interval, and the highest root colonization was achieved at 7-day irrigated onions in symbiosis with G. versiforme. Phosphorus content in plant tissue was significantly increased in mycorrhizal than non-mycorrhizal onions. Plants inoculated with G. versiforme at 9-day interval treatment had the highest leaf P content, while the lowest P was observed in non-mycorrhizal plants at all irrigation intervals. Onions inoculated by G. versiforme or G. etunicatum at 9-day irrigation interval had the highest K content. Results revealed that the inoculation of onion plant with G. versiforme or G. etunicatum and increasing irrigation interval up to 9 days, could improve P and K uptake.

Six calcareous and alluvial soil profiles differing in their texture, CaCO3 and salinity were chosen from west and middle Nile Delta for the present study. The 1st and 2nd profiles from Borg El-Arab area were sandy loam in texture and > 30% CaCO3, while the 3rd and 4th profiles (from Nubaria area) were sandy clay loam and < 30% CaCO3. The 2nd and 4th profiles were taken from cultivated area with maize. The 5th profile from Epshan area was non-saline clay alluvial soil and the 6th from El-Khamsen was saline clay alluvial soil. The relation between soil moisture content (W%) and water vapour pressure (P/P o) was established for the mentioned soils. Data showed that the specific surface area (S) values were 34–53 and 44–60 m2/g for calcareous soils of Borg El-Arab and Nubaria areas, 206–219 and 206–249 m2/g for non-saline and saline clay alluvial soils of Epshan and El-Khamsen areas, respectively. The corresponding values of the external specific surface area (S e) were 16–21, 14–22, 72–86 and 92–112 m2/g. Submitting W m+W me as an adsorption boundary of moisture films (W c) (where W m is mono-adsorbed layer of water vapour on soil particles and W me is the external mono-adsorbed layer), the maximum water adsorption capacity (W a) was found to be W c + W me or W m + 2W me. It was ranged from 1.88 to 2.70%, 1.97 to 2.95%, 9.70–10.70% and 10.80 to 13.12% while the maximum hygroscopic water (M H) values were 2.43–3.78%, 2.91–4.65%, 16–17% and 18.30–21.9% for the studied soil profiles respectively. The residual moisture content (θ r) at pF 7 and P/P o = 0 was ranged from 0.0005–0.0010%, 0.0007–0.0019% and 0.0043–0.0048% in Borg El-Arab, Nubaria and Epshan soil profiles, respectively. The inter-relations between the surface area and the hygroscopic moisture parameters of the soils under investigation were as follows Calcareous soils; W m = 0.40 M H, W c = 0.55 M H, W a = 0.70 M H, S = 14 M H Non-saline soil; W m = 0.35 M H, W c = 0.49 M H, W a = 0.63 M H, S = 13 M H Saline soil; W m = 031 M H, W c = 0.45 M H, W a = 0.59 M H, S = 12 M H These relations give possibility to deduce the soil moisture adsorption capacities and specific surface area via maximum hygroscopic water, which can be obtained through the experimental determination of water vapor adsorption isotherms.

Soil erosion by water is considered as one of the most significant forms of land degradation that affects sustained productivity of agricultural land use and water quality. It is influenced by a considerable number of factors (including climate, soil, topography, land use and types of land management), so that the information on the spatial distribution of soil erosion rate and its related effects can be effectively employed as a baseline data for land use development and water protection. The principal aim of this study is three-fold: (i) to map existing land use; (ii) to assess and map the spatial distribution of average annual rate of soil losses in the study area; (iii) to evaluate spatial matching between existing and proposed land use including a distance analysis from the water body (the Bili-Bili Dam). An analytical procedures used, respectively, include supervised classification of satellite imagery, application of RUSLE (Revised USLE), and overlay analysis in a raster GIS environment, utilising available information in the region covering some parts of Jeneberang catchment, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The results suggest that the outputs of this study can be used for the identification of land units on a cell-basis with different land use types, rate of soil loss, inconsistency between proposed and planned land use, as well as the threat of land degradation to the main river and the dam. The analytical procedures developed in this research may be useful in other areas, particularly in the studies related to the assessment and mapping of land use and erosion for the importance of sustainable land use at a relatively large area.

Ants can play a key role in the erosion processes on agriculture land by modifying soil properties and increasing macropore flow. Ants are abundant in organically-managed orchards in the Mediterranean region due to climate conditions, no-till practices, no pesticide use, and the resulting vegetation cover. In order to determine the effect of ants on soil and water losses from these orchards growing on moderately-sloped land (4–8%), forty 1.0 m2 plots (20 with ants mounts and 20 without ants — controls) were established during the summer of 2007. A rainfall simulator was used to apply 78 mm of water to each plot over a one-hour period, equivalent to a 20-year return-period thunderstorm. Runoff was collected at 1-minute intervals and sediment concentration measured every 10 minutes. Sediment concentrations were 300% higher on plots with ant mounds, but runoff rates were similar to the plots without ants. Average soil erosion rates averaged 41 kg ha−1 h−1 on the ant plots and 13 kg ha−1 h−1 on the control plots. The low erosion rates are due to the effect of the vegetation and litter cover in this organically-managed soil, which were little impacted by ant activity at the pedon scale.

Several studies have shown improved soil stability under elevated atmospheric CO2 caused by increased plant and microbial biomass. These studies have not quantified the mechanisms responsible for soil stabilisation or the effect on water relations. The objective of this study was to assess changes in water repellency under elevated CO2. We hypothesised that increased plant biomass will drive an increase in water repellency, either directly or through secondary microbial processes. Barley plants were grown at ambient (360 ppm) and elevated (720 ppm) CO2 concentrations in controlled chambers. Each plant was grown in a separate tube of 1.2 m length constructed from 22 mm depth × 47 mm width plastic conduit trunk and packed with sieved arable soil to 55% porosity. After 10 weeks growth the soil was dried at 40°C before measuring water sorptivity, ethanol sorptivity and repellency at many depths with a 0.14 mm radius microinfiltrometer. This provided a microscale measure of the capacity of soil to rewet after severe drying. At testing roots extended throughout the depth of the soil in the tube. The depth of the measurement had no effect on sorptivity or repellency. A rise in CO2 resulted in a decrease in water sorptivity from 1.13 ± 0.06 (s.e) mm s−1/2 to 1.00 ± 0.05 mm s−1/2 (P < 0.05) and an increase in water repellency from 1.80 ± 0.09 to 2.07 ± 0.08 (P < 0.05). Ethanol sorptivity was not affected by CO2 concentration, suggesting a similar pore structure. Repellency was therefore the primary cause of decreased water sorptivity. The implications will be both positive and negative, with repellency potentially increasing soil stability but also causing patchier wetting of the root-zone.

Soil moisture flux to root surface is considered the main determining factor of the transpiration intensity of plants. This assumption is valid not only in optimal plant physiological conditions without any physical barrier for the evaporation from the leaves, but in climatic drought as well, when high usable soil water amount cannot supply the evapo-transpiration intensity of plant. A new algorithm we built up describing the plant adaptation in climatic drought when stoma’s closure and reduction of plant’s potential evapo-transpiration (PET) starts. The adaptation algorithm of Doorenbos et al. (1978) is developed further defining that soil moisture content initiating the stomata’s closure. The critical soil moisture content is varying according to the PET, and drought tolerance of plant. If soil moisture content is less than the critical one, the plant evapo-transpiration (ET) can be highly different in the drought tolerance plant groups. The new drought tolerance algorithm is applied to maize field plots on chernozem soil of the experimental station of the Debrecen University, in East Hungary. Simulated soil water storages are compared to measured ones of a field plot treatment in five consecutive years. The soil moisture content profiles are measured with a BR-150 capacitance probe (Andrén et al. 1991). Differences between measured and simulated soil water storages are not significant in 2003. Simulations indicate low soil water storages in autumn of 2006, and in the first half of 2007 predicting the low maize production realized in 2007. The new plant adaptation algorithm can be used for a climate and soil moisture content sensitive irrigation control as well. The maize production is an illustrative biohydrological example of water flow through the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum.

In the present study Cervatana and Almagra models from decision support system, MicroLEIS DSS, were applied to segregation of arable land surfaces from the marginal ones and suitability evaluation of wheat (Triticum aestivum), maize (Zea mays) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in Souma area with approximately 4100 ha extension in West Azarbaijan. Obtained results from both models are presented and discussed in this research work. Soil morphological and analytical data were collected from 35 soil profiles, representative of the study area and stored in SDBm plus database. The control or vertical section of soil for applying and running the models for annual selected crops, was calculated by soil layer generator 0.0–50 cm in depth, or between the surface and the limit of useful depth when the latter is between 0.0 and 50 cm. According to results, 80.49% of the total area was good capable for agricultural uses and 19.51% must be reforested and not dedicated to agriculture. The lands with good capability for agricultural uses is classified as highly suitable area (S2) for wheat, maize and alfalfa, but results in 822 ha for maize and in 126 ha for alfalfa refers to an excellent suitable (S1) and moderately suitable (S3) classes respectively. The most important limitation factors are soil texture and carbonate alone or together and maize — wheat — alfalfa can be selected as the best crop rotation. A simple map subsystem (ArcView GIS) was used for basic data and models result demonstration on a map.

This paper focuses on consequences of erosion processes on the water quality in a small catchment mainly used for agriculture. Due to the silty soils with small infiltration capacity and some steep slopes, much suspended sediment is carried with the surface runoff into the river. To gain detailed knowledge about the dynamic of suspended particle concentration in the stream, particularly the intensity and the duration of the pollution, continual measurements of turbidity and conductivity have been done. Additionally water samples have been automatically taken regulated by the streamflow and have been analysed in the lab to determine the particle concentration and some dissolved chemical substances such as nitrate and heavy metals. From those measurements a regression between turbidity and suspended particle concentration was derived as basis to calculate suspended load. Results showed a typical hysteresis with bigger particles being transported within the fast rising limb than in the falling limb of the flood waves. Moreover, it was also found, that nitrate concentration was lower during the summer and early autumn than in spring with the same discharge.

Soil structure stability was studied in every diagnostic horizons of six soil types (Haplic Chernozem, Greyic Phaeozem, two Haplic Luvisols, Haplic Cambisol, Dystric Cambisol) using different techniques investigating various destruction mechanisms of soil aggregates. Soil aggregate stability, assessed by the index of water stable aggregates (WSA), varied depending on the organic matter content, clay content and pHKCl. The presence of clay and organic matter coatings and fillings, and presence of iron oxides in some soils increased stability of soil aggregates. On the other hand periodical tillage apparently decreased aggregate stability in the Ap horizons. Coefficients of aggregate vulnerability resulting from fast wetting (KV 1) and slow wetting (KV 2) tests showed similar trends of the soil aggregate stability as the WSA index, when studied for soils developed on the similar parent material. There was found close correlation between the WSA index and the KV 1 value, which depended also on the organic matter content, clay content and pHKCl. Less significant correlation was obtained between the WSA index and the KV 2 value, which depended on the organic matter content and clay content. Coefficients of vulnerability resulting from the shaking after pre-wetting test (KV 3) showed considerably different trends in comparison to the other tests due to the different factors affecting aggregate stability against the mechanical destruction. The KV 3 value depended mostly on cation exchange capacity, pHKCl and organic matter content.

Soil erosion and contamination are two main desertification indices or land degradation agents in agricultural areas. Global climate change consequence is a priority to predict global environmental change impacts on these degradation risks. This agro-ecological approach can be especially useful when formulating soil specific agricultural practices based on the spatial variability of soils and related resources to reverse environmental degradation. Raizal and Pantanal models within the new MicroLEIS framework, the Ero&Con package, are database/expert system evaluation approach for assessing limitations to land use, or vulnerability of the land to specified agricultural degradation risks. This study was performed in Souma area with approximately 4100 ha extension in the North-West of Iran (west Azarbaijan). Based on 35 sampling soils, Typic Xerofluvents, Typic Calcixerepts, Fluventic Haploxerepts and Fluventic Endaquepts were classified as main subgroups. Climatological data, referred to temperature and precipitation of more than 36 consecutive years were collected from Urmieh station reports and stored in monthly Climate Database CDBm, as a major component of MicroLEIS DSS (CDBm) program. Climate data for a hypothetical future scenario were collected from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports for the 2080s period. The evaluation approach predicts that attainable water erosion vulnerability classes were none (V1) very low (V2) and moderately low (V4) in the total of 72%, 13% and 15% of the Souma area, respectively and they will not affected by climate change. On contrary, attainable wind erosion vulnerability classes will increase. Also, phosphorous and heavy metal contamination vulnerability risks will not differ in two compared scenarios while nitrogen and pesticides vulnerability classes will be improved.

In a multidisciplinary study, highly significant interactional effects were found among land use, livestock component, soil properties and rainfall. On an average, 16.2 to 82.2 tonnes of sediment yield km−2 and more than 90% of rainwater was retained in-situ in new land use systems as against 3621.3 tonnes of sediment and 66.3% rainwater retention in shifting cultivation, because of poor land cover. Good vegetation cover reduced the runoff load, resulting in significant reduction in the soil and nutrient erosion. The average sediment yield was only 0.44%, 2.68%, 1.47%, 0.31%, 0.73% and 2.27% in livestock based, forestry, agro-forestry, agriculture, agri-horti-silvi-pastoral and horticulture land use systems of that of shifting cultivation. Highest average sediment yield was 704.3 t km−2 when the annual rainfall was 2770 mm and minimum 405.4 t km−2 when the annual rainfall was 1992 mm. More in-situ retention of rainwater helped in the availability of adequate moisture from the soil to the succeeding crops when the rainy season receded. The sediment yield varied according to the rainfall received during a particular year and the nature of vegetation in a particular land use. There was sufficient fertility build-up in the watersheds where animals were kept and after ten years of start of the study, no need of inorganic sources of nutrients was required. The organic carbon, humus, exchangeable calcium, magnesium, potassium and available phosphorus increased significantly in the new land use systems compared to shifting cultivation, however, the DTPA (Diethylene triamine penta acetic acid) extractable zinc, copper, iron and exchangeable aluminium decreased over the initial soil status. It showed that the vegetation in the new land uses had a smothering effect on the soil and increase in the elements had a favourable impact on the crop productivity.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a drainage system on soil water conditions in a loam soil compared to that in undrained clay loam soil under various topographic conditions. The soils are located on a sloping area at Lidzbark Warminski experimental site (Poland) with well surface water outflow conditions and used as a pasture. The loam soil was drained with ceramic drainage pipes with an average drain spacing of 14 m and an average drain depth of 0.9 m, while the clay loam soil profile was not drained. The research was conducted during the period from 1999 to 2005. Ground water level as well as soil moisture content were measured monthly for both soil profiles. Meteorological conditions (precipitation and data for calculation of reference evapotranspiration) were also recorded. The results obtained show that in the loam soil (drained site) water level is on average 42 cm higher compared to that in the clay loam soil (not drained site). In both soils the amplitude of the ground water level changes was relatively high and exceeds 300 cm. In the drained loam soil, the water level position exceeded the depth of the drainage system in very wet, wet and average years. Under wet meteorological conditions the increase in ground water levels in the clay loam soil was slower than in the loam soil.

In order to analyze the salt transport affected by roots and its effects on soil salinity in an experimental irrigated field newly established in an alluvial valley of the Yellow River in China, spatial distribution of ions contained in waters, soils and crops relevant to these phenomena were evaluated there. During the intensive surveys conducted in year 2007–2008, the Yellow River water, irrigation canal water, groundwater, field soils and crops, etc. were sampled and their chemical characteristics such as electrical conductivity, concentrations of ions Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Cl−, SO42−and NO3− were measured. Irrigation seemed to cause increases in the concentrations of ions Na+, Cl− and SO42− in the groundwater. Although those were also major ions contained in the field soil, the soil was classed as saline but not sodic according to the standard classification. On the other hand, K+, which is one of the major essential nutrients for plant growth, was highly concentrated in the crops, while Na+ was not concentrated because of crop’s poor ability to absorb it. The ion concentration within the plant body seemed to be reflected by the active and selective ion uptake by roots and the transpiration stream. Furthermore, salt accumulation in the surface-irrigated field largely depended on the upward transport of water and ions in the soil profile affected by root absorption capacity. The information obtained in this study will contribute to the development of scientific methods for sustainable and effective plant production in irrigated fields.

Natural variability, i. e. climatic oscillation, influences the development of vegetation in the annual cycle. At the same time it creates the conditions for the changes of the vegetation cover even in the scale of centuries. This is the phenomenon, which causes the variation or tendencies in evapotranspiration demands and consequently of water storage regime, and its long scale change is sometimes disregarded. The simulation of rainfall-runoff process has been used for the re-evaluation of the assumed evapotranspiration demand due to the developing vegetation cover and of groundwater storage in the catchments. The simulations provide the results, which illustrate the dominant role of transpiration in comparison with other components of evapotranspiration. The simulations also illustrate the interaction between evapotranspiration and groundwater storage. Additionally, the modelling confirms that it could be useful to compare the parameters for the recession process of simulated sub-surface water storage with the decreases of observed outflow of springs and/or with the course of water levels in the bore holes.

Preferential movement of water in macropores plays an important role when the process of ponded infiltration in natural porous systems is studied. For example, the detailed knowledge of water flow through macropores is of a major importance when predicting runoff responses to rainfall events. The main objectives of this study are to detect preferential movement of water in Chernozem soil and to employ numerical modeling to describe the variably saturated flow during a field ponded infiltration experiment. The infiltration experiment was performed at the Macov experimental station (Calcari-Haplic Chernozem in Danubian Lowland, Slovakia). The experiment involved single ring ponded infiltration. At the quasi steady state phase of the experiment dye tracer was added to the infiltrating water. Then the soil profile was excavated and the penetration pattern of the applied tracer was recorded. The abundance of biopores as a product of fauna and flora was found. To quantify the preferential flow effects during the infiltration experiment, three-dimensional axisymmetric simulations were carried out by a two-dimensional dual-continuum numerical model. The water flow simulations based on measured hydraulic characteristics without consideration of preferential flow effects failed to describe the infiltration experiment adequately. The 3D axisymmetric simulation based on dual-permeability approach provided relatively realistic space-time distribution of soil water pressure below the infiltration ring.

The effect of the amendment with alginite, an organic rock originating from the biomass of fossilized unicellular algae, on microbial activity of forest soils was tested using a pot experiment. Five variants of soil-alginite mixtures were tested in three replicates with two forest soils: a loose sandy soil and a sandy loam. Gravimetric moisture closely correlated with the dose of alginite in both soils. Basal respiration and catalase activity increased with the dose of alginite in the sandy soil, but not in the sandy loam, where the highest response was observed at intermediate doses of alginite. The correlations of microbial activity parameters with moisture in the sandy soil were also much closer than in the sandy loam. The amendment with alginite was thus effective in improving some of the selected microbial activity indicators, but the optimum dose of alginite strongly depends on soil texture.

A distributed hydrological model was applied for estimating changes in a runoff regime due to land use changes. The upper Hron river basin, which has an area of 1766 km2 and is located in central Slovakia, was selected as the pilot basin. A physically-based rainfall-runoff model with distributed parameters was used for modelling runoff from rainfall and melting snow. The parameters of the model were estimated using climate data from 1981–2000 and from three digital map layers: a land-use map, soil map and digital elevation model. Several scenarios of changes in land use were prepared, and the runoff under the new land use conditions was simulated. Long-term mean annual runoff components and the design maximal mean daily discharges with a return period from 5 to 100 years under the previous and changed land uses were estimated and compared. The simulated runoff changes were confronted with expert judgments and estimates from the literature. Limitations of the use of distributed models for estimating land use changes are discussed.

The paper analyzes the impacts of the spruce forest on precipitation interception and evolution of snow cover in the mountain catchment of the Jalovecký creek, the Western Tatra Mountains, Slovakia. Both processes were monitored at the elevation of 1420 m a.s.l.. Interception was measured from the end of August 2006 until November 2008 by a network of 13 raingauges. Mean interception over the studied period in forest window was 23%. Mean values for the dripping zone under tree branches, near stems of the trees and under the young trees were 28%, 65% and 44%, respectively. With exception of forest window, the interception at the same characteristic positions was highly variable. Calculated daily precipitation thresholds needed to fulfill the storage capacity of the canopy were about 0.8–0.9 mm. Differences in snow accumulation and melt in the open area (elevation 1500 m a.s.l.) and in the forest were measured in winters 2003–2008. Snow depths (SD) and water equivalents (SWE) were typically smaller in the forest, although the differences were getting smaller towards the end of snow season. SD and SWE in the forest were higher than in the open area for a short time before the end of season in winters 2003 and 2005. The correlations between SD and SWE in the open area and in the forest explained about 90% of variability. The energy balance snow model UEB satisfactorily simulated the evolution of snow cover in the forest and in the open area.

The objective of this study was to estimate the hydraulic conductivity of sandy soil under different plant cover at the locality Mláky II at Sekule (southwest Slovakia). Two sites were demarcated at the locality, with mainly moss species at glade site, and pine forest at forest site. The estimation of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was conducted by (a) minidisk infiltrometer and (b) the analysis of a dye tracer total resident concentration. The latter approach assumed the applicability of the stochastic—convective flow theory in the sandy soil. In the dye tracer experiment, two plots (1 × 1 m each) were established in both sites, and 100 mm of dye tracer (Brilliant Blue FCF) solution was applied on the soil surface. Similar results were obtained in both plots, with more than 70 % area of horizons stained in the depth of 30–50 cm. In some cases, the predicted and measured hydraulic conductivity were found within an order of magnitude, thus revealing similar impact of different plant cover on hydraulic properties of sandy soil studied. In contrast to sandy soils used for agriculture, the influence of the plant/surface humus and topsoil interface extended in the form of a highly heterogeneous matrix flow to the depth of 50–60 cm, where it was dampened by horizontal layering.

The paper presents the results of the model computation of actual and potential evapotranspiration as well as evaporation measurements from the GGI-3000 Pan (evaporimeter) at 3 selected stations of Slovakia for the periods 1971–2000 (2 stations) and 1986–2000 (1 station). The localities are situated in the most southern parts of Slovakia in 1st Oak stage and on southern slopes of the Carpathian promontories. A model computation of the monthly totals of actual and potential evapotranspiration was performed by a common solution of energy and water balance equations of the top one-meter layer of the soil. The model outputs are compared to the measurement data. The dependence of the ratio of actual evapotranspiration/ evaporation measured by the GGI-3000 Pan (E/E p) on relative evapotranspiration (E/E o), when E, E o are calculated, is linear with a high correlation coefficient during the season from April to October. The paper also gives the comparison results of the mean monthly and annual air temperatures, temperatures of active and saturated surface with the mean monthly temperature of free water surface in the GGI-3000 Pan at these 3 stations (Bratislava-Koliba, Somotor and Žihárec). It was found that the mean free water surface temperature for the period from April to October is close to the mean temperature of saturated surface during that period. The mean temperatures of free water surface in the GGI-3000 Pan from April to October tend to increase for the period 1971–2000.

The study presents results of calculation of potential evapotranspiration based on vegetation cover and actual solar energy income modeling obtained in the Jalovecky creek experimental hydrological basin in the Western Tatra mountains. Vegetation cover in the basin is represented by Bare rock, Grass, Natural grassland, Coniferous forest and Dwarf pine. Spatial evapotranspiration patterns for vegetation cover were calculated with three different methods build in the SOLEI model. They are Simple regression model, Radiation model by FAO and Penman-Monteith model. Vegetation cover is represented in all mentioned methods by albedo maps derived from the land use grid map. Together with Digital elevation model (DEM) it is the main input value to the SOLEI model. Albedo coefficients influence mainly solar energy income to the slopes. Because the Simple regression model and Radiation model by FAO are mainly based on solar energy income, the shapes of calculated spatial evapotranspiration patterns are similar to solar energy spatial maps. Results obtained from PenmanMonteith model are more closed to vegetation maps.

During long-term monitoring (more than 20 years) of the hydrologic regime at 20 mountainous sites in the Czech Republic (altitude 600–1400 m a.s.l.; vegetation season April-September; mean air temperature 8–10°C; mean total precipitation 400–700 mm; mean duration of sunshine 1100–1300 hours; mean potential transpiration 200–250 mm) it was found that plant temperature does not rise above about 25°C when plants transpire. According to the ecological optimality theory, the phytocenosis that is able to survive unfavourable conditions and produce the biggest amount of phytomass will prevail at sites occurring in long-term stable natural conditions. Simulation of phytomass productivity based on the optimum temperature for plant growth showed that plants with an optimum leaf temperature of about 25°C can survive the unfavourable conditions and produce the largest amount of phytomass at the site studied in the long-term.

Soil water repellency (SWR) is a common phenomenon on sand-based golf greens. Soils are considered severely water repellent if water droplets remain on the surface of undisturbed, air-dried soil samples for more than 600 seconds before penetrating. The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of a surfactant to overcome SWR and restore turfgrass quality on a green with severe drought symptoms. The surfactant Aqueduct® was applied at a rate of 25 L ha−1 at weekly intervals from 4 June through 25 June 2008, either alone or after aeration with solid tines to 5 cm depth before each application. The experiment was irrigated uniformly corresponding to 1.65 times pan evaporation values from 4 June till 12 June, after which irrigation was not necessary due to natural rainfall. Conspicuous and statistically significant improvements in turfgrass quality occurred 10–12 days after the first application of surfactant, and the difference from untreated control plots continued to increase for about two and a half months after the completion of treatments. The improvement was accompanied by a significant increase in the SWC of the 0–20 cm soil layer and a deeper root system. The difference in WDPT between treated and untreated plots was significant at 1 cm, but not at 2, 3, 5 or 10 cm soil depths which were always far more water repellent than the thatch layer. Repeated aeration had no significant effect on turfgrass quality, and there was no significant interaction between surfactant and aeration treatments.

Soil as the largest potential natural water reservoir in the Carpathian Basin has increasing importance under conditions of predicted climate change resulting in increase of probability of extreme hydrological events. Soil management changes soil structure and has a major effect on soil water, heat and nutrition regimes. In this study the effect of four tillage treatments in combination with catch crop management was studied on soil hydraulic properties and water regime under semi-arid conditions. Investigations were carried out in a long-term soil tillage experiment established on Calcic Chernozem soil in Hungary. Tillage variants comprised mouldboard ploughing, disking, loosening combined with disking and direct drilling. The crop sequence between September 2003 and September 2004 comprised maize (main crop), rye (catch crop) and pea (forage). In May 2004, disturbed samples and undisturbed soil cores were collected from each tillage treatment/catch crop combination. The main soil physical and hydrophysical properties were determined in laboratory. In each treatment, capacitive soil moisture probes were installed up to 80 cm depth to ensure continuous measurement of soil water content. Total soil water amounts of chosen soil layers and soil water content dynamics as a function of depth were evaluated for selected periods in order to quantify the effect of the studied management systems on soil water regime. The main conclusion from the experiment is that under such (or similar) ecological conditions, the uniform, „over-standardized“ adaptation of tillage methods for soil moisture conservation is rather risky, their application needs special care and the future is for site-specific precision technologies. These are, in combination with catch crop application can be efficient measures of environmental protection and soil structure and water conservation.

Cotton cropping has been developing for more than 40 years in the western part of Burkina Faso. It has made a definite modernization of the traditional farming system. Modernization is illustrated by adoption of specific agricultural practices like monoculture, tillage, straight sowing and slope ridge planting. Misuse and non-adaptable local pedologic and climatic context of these new practices perturb soil hydrological processes. Outcomes are water loss by runoff, erosion and changes in the soils physical and physiochemical properties. Besides, we can notice in this area for more than 30 years climatic changes which require us to ask ourselves what are the resulting consequences. In fact, these climatic changes generate an extension of the rainy season, an increase in the frequency of high intensity spells but also recurrence of dry spells during the rainy season. Do these new climatic conditions exacerbate the consequences of cotton practices on hydrological processes and induce an aggravation of flow and erosion processes? These evolutions have direct consequences on crop production whereas needs are highly increasing. The improvement of the prevailing agricultural practices and innovative practices might provide improved pluvial resources in critical moments such as rainfall excess at the beginning and the end of the rainy season and short drought conditions after sowing or germination and during flowering. However two questions arise. In the rainfed agriculture, which cultural practices (to reduce runoff and to favour infiltration) are, in regard to pedologic, climatic or socio-economic context, able to allow improved water efficiency and, as a result, an increase of the food grains production? Might selected practices and production addition satisfy requirements of the coming population?

The objective of this study was to estimate the water repellency of post-boggy soils in north-eastern Poland. Potential water repellency was determined based on the water drop penetration time (WDPT) test and the molarity of an ethanol droplet (MED) test. A total of 276 soil samples with a varied organic carbon (OC) content, ranging from trace amounts in sandy subsoils to 44.4% in organic soils, were analyzed. The investigated material represents peat-muck soils (Eutri-Sapric Histsols) and muck-like soils (Arenic Gleysols, Areni-Humic Gleysols, Gleyic Arenosols). The mineral matter of the analyzed soils comprised loose sand. The obtained results indicate that peat soil formations are marked by higher potential water repellency than muck soil formations. The highest WDPT values (16 390 s) were reported in respect of an alder peat sample with 41.9% OC content, collected at a depth of 55–60 cm. In the group of muck soils, a sample with 36.7% OC content, collected at a depth of 15–20 cm, was marked by the highest water repellency (WDPT 10 492 s). The water repellency of the studied soils is dependent on organic matter content, and it is manifested only when organic matter content is higher than 20%. Soils with OC content of up to 12% show low water repellency or are hydrophilic. Organic soil formations (>12% OC) are characterized by a varied degree of water repellency, but WDPT values in excess of 2000 s are reported only in respect of soils containing more than 35% OC. A significant positive correlation between the content of organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen and water repellency was observed in the entire studied population (n = 276). A significant positive correlation was also found between WDPT values and the C:N ratio, while a significant negative correlation was reported in respect of $$ pH_{H_2 O} $$.

The study was performed on the ski resort Krvavec, which is one of the most frequented ski resorts in Slovenia. The ski slopes serve as pastures for cattle during summer time and range from 1500 to 2000 m a.s.l., which is at or above the upper timberline. To offer a longer ski season and to profit snow better (either natural or artificial one) the slopes have been levelled and consequently the soil profile has been changed. Such altered soil profile characteristics strongly impact hydrological functions of soils. To study these impacts, five plots (20 × 20 m) have been chosen on the slopes with a different history: pasture without any amelioration work, a patch of forest in the ski resort without any ameliorations, and three plots with different intensity of amelioration. Dynamics of soil water content on each plot has been determined by measuring soil water content in-situ with portable TDR system during several days after long lasting heavy rains. Statistically significant differences were shown in soil water content between the plots after the rain, although some differences between plots have disappeared in the following days.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a measuring technique for determining soil CO2 efflux from large soil samples having undisturbed structure under controlled laboratory conditions. Further objectives were to use the developed measuring method for comparing soil CO2 efflux from samples, collected in three different soil management systems at various soil water content values. The experimental technique was tested and optimised for timing of sampling by taking air samples after 1, 3 and 6 hours of incubation. Based on the results, the incubation time was set to three hours. The CO2 efflux measured for different soil management systems was the highest in the no-till and the lowest in the ploughing treatment, which was in accordance with measurements on accessible organic carbon for microbes. An increase in CO2 efflux with increasing soil water content was found in the studied soil water content range. Our results indicate that soil respiration rates, measured directly after tillage operations, can highly differ from those measured long after.