It is known that field-scale variations in subsurface hydraulic
characteristics are influenced, to a large extent, by soil properties. Limited
information, however, exists on the sensitivity of hydraulic functions to
field-scale variations in soil properties. The sensitivity of 4 soil water
retention functions, θ(h), to variations in soil
properties and changes in bulk density (ρ) across and within soils along a
500-m transect has been assessed in this study. The
θ(h) functions compared are those of van Genuchten,
Brooks and Corey, Campbell, and Gardner. Water retention characteristics for 7
soils, each packed to 2 relative ρ, were established for each function.
The coefficient of determination, R
2 , for the best fit of water retention ranged from
0·79 to 0· 98 for the Gardner and Campbell functions, from
0· 92 to 0·99 for the Brooks and Corey function, and from
0·83 to 0·99 for the van Genuchten function. Simple linear
regression analysis indicated the nonlinear slope parameters of the 4
functions were more strongly correlated with soil properties. However, only
the van Genuchten slope parameters were sensitive to changes in ρ. No
consistency existed between the sensitivity of the linear parameters of the 4
functions and soil properties, and none were sensitive to changes in ρ.
Except for the a parameter in the van Genuchten function, all the parameters
in this function can be predicted with satisfactory confidence from soil
properties and ρ. The results indicate that, of the 4 functions assessed,
the van Genuchten θ(h) function is the most
sensitive to field-scale variations in soil properties along a transect in a
landscape unit and to changes in ρ.
Investigating soil water retention characteristics at high suctions using relative humidity control
