Changes

The presence of vegetation also helps to reduce the incidence of soil crusting which can otherwise occur when raindrops impact bare soil surfaces. The root systems of vegetation help to loosen the soil and increase its connected porosity, and this in turn promotes more rapid [[infiltration]]. A landscape’s infiltration capacity is also dependent on soil [[texture]]; the highest infiltration capacities are typically found in loose, sandy soils, while heavy clay or clay-loam soils usually have lower infiltration capacities.

The presence of vegetation also helps to reduce the incidence of soil crusting which can otherwise occur when raindrops impact bare soil surfaces. The root systems of vegetation help to loosen the soil and increase its connected porosity, and this in turn promotes more rapid [[infiltration]]. A landscape’s infiltration capacity is also dependent on soil [[texture]]; the highest infiltration capacities are typically found in loose, sandy soils, while heavy clay or clay-loam soils usually have lower infiltration capacities.

If rain falls at rate which is greater than the underlying soils infiltration rate, it will begin to fill depressions, at which point runoff will begin to be generated. The production of runoff is accelerated as surface slope increases and slope lengths decrease, as both considerations increase surface runoff velocities and decrease the time of concentration <ref>Sharma, K.D. 1986. Runoff behaviour of water harvesting microcatchments. Agricultural Water Management 11 (2): 137-144</ref>.

If rain falls at rate which is greater than the underlying soils infiltration rate, it will begin to fill depressions, at which point runoff will begin to be generated. The production of runoff is accelerated as surface [[slope]] increases and slope lengths decrease, as both considerations increase surface runoff velocities and decrease the time of concentration <ref>Sharma, K.D. 1986. Runoff behaviour of water harvesting microcatchments. Agricultural Water Management 11 (2): 137-144</ref>.

Under natural conditions, the presence of surface vegetation and leaf litter provides ample opportunity for rainfall to be intercepted, detained and infiltrated – even in area with moderate to steep slopes.

Under natural conditions, the presence of surface vegetation and leaf litter provides ample opportunity for rainfall to be intercepted, detained and infiltrated – even in area with moderate to steep slopes.