Effect of soil organic carbon on water retention and infiltration capacity
Key Finding
A 1% increase in soil organic carbon increases water retention and infiltration capacity by 150-250 m³/ha/year.
Overview
This research from Rawls et al. addresses critical water management and infrastructure protection concerns in solar installations. The 2003 study provides quantified evidence for how soil health improvements can enhance water infiltration and reduce erosion risk.
Methodology
Researchers measured water infiltration rates, runoff volumes, and soil stability across sites with varying management approaches, establishing clear correlations between soil organic matter content and hydrological performance.
Relevance to TerraNext
A 1% increase in soil organic carbon increases water retention and infiltration capacity by 150-250 m³/ha/year. TerraNext leverages these insights to protect client infrastructure and reduce maintenance costs. Our soil regeneration approach directly improves water infiltration, reducing foundation damage risk and erosion-related repairs.
Key Implications
- Infiltration can improve by 55-400% with proper soil management
- Reduced runoff protects foundations and prevents channeling damage
- Soil organic carbon improvements create long-term water retention benefits
- Infrastructure protection reduces unplanned maintenance events
Why This Research Matters
Links soil health to water management benefits
Provides metric for tracking regenerative progress
Supports long-term soil carbon building strategies
Citation
Rawls et al. (2003). Effect of soil organic carbon on water retention and infiltration capacity. Geoderma, 116, 61-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7061(03)00094-6