Investigations into the effect of different land use on field-saturated hydraulic conductivity in the Eddleston Water catchment

Brickell, J.; MacDonald, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6636-1499; Collins, S.; Peskett, L.; Ball, T.; Black, A.; McCleave, A.; Kane, G.. 2024 Investigations into the effect of different land use on field-saturated hydraulic conductivity in the Eddleston Water catchment. Nottingham, UK, British Geological Survey, 17pp. (CR/24/046N) (Unpublished)

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Abstract/Summary

Land use and management have an impact on the infiltration capacity of soil. It is thought that by changing the way we use and manage land we can increase infiltration into the soil, slow the flow of water through the catchment and reduce flood peaks. However, there are few observational data that directly measure changes in soil permeability in different land uses. This report describes field investigations into the role of land cover on soil permeability in part of the Eddleston catchment in the Scottish Borders as a pilot for a larger study in the future. Investigations were carried out at Wester Deans Farm on a range of land use types: coniferous woodland, improved grassland, a ten year old broadleaved transverse strip and rough grazing grassland. Experiments to measure the hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) of soils underlying these land uses were conducted using a constant head well permeameter (Guelph permeameter). In total there were 129 infiltration tests conducted for this study; 41 in coniferous woodland, 33 in improved grassland, 24 in a broadleaved transverse strip and 31 in rough grazing grassland. Results indicate that median Kfs rates were highest in soils under rough grazing, and medians statistically similar to the coniferous woodland and 10 year old transverse strip woodlands. Highest individual results, and overall range, were obtained under woodlands where root systems are able to create pathways for water flow. The lowest Kfs rates were under improved grasslands where dense animal grazing is known to increase compaction of the surface. Statistical analysis showed Kfs under improved grasslands to be statistically lower than the three other land uses tested. This study illustrates the role that areas of rough grazing may play in increasing soil infiltration and storage, and may have a similar impact to tree planting. Further study is planned on extending the surveys, and using these data to help plan soil restoration strategies.

Item Type:	Publication - Report
Funders/Sponsors:	British Geological Survey
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This item has been internally reviewed, but not externally peer-reviewed. Report made open in June, 2024.
Additional Keywords:	Groundwater, GroundwaterBGS
Date made live:	24 Jun 2024 08:43 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537616

Item Type:

Publication - Report

Funders/Sponsors:

British Geological Survey

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

This item has been internally reviewed, but not externally peer-reviewed. Report made open in June, 2024.

Additional Keywords:

Groundwater, GroundwaterBGS

Date made live:

24 Jun 2024 08:43 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537616