Variability of hydraulic conductivity within and between nine Wisconsin soil series

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Hydraulic conductivity was measured in selected subsurface horizons of nine soil series by using the crust test method. Measurements were made for several moisture potentials in the range 0 > ψm ≥ −150 cm of water at several randomly selected sites per soil series. The morphological character of the soil series spanned a broad range, from sands to clay loam soils. The k characteristic of each series was mathematically described, and the series conductivity curves were related as a family of curves. By using multivariate discriminant analysis the series were grouped into classes of similar hydraulic behavior, based on the dispersion of moisture potential and hydraulic conductivity data within and between series. A 95% prediction interval was constructed to include the range of conductivities to be expected at future sites.