Infiltration

Soil water infiltration refers to the rate at which water enters the soil surface and moves through soil depth (Allen et al., 2011). Infiltration has a direct relevance to water retention, a key ecosystem service (Griffiths et al., 2016). Infiltration capacity greatly influences the soil’s ability to store and provide water for plants.

High infiltration rates play a crucial role in effective water storage, thereby reducing the risk of water runoff and minimizing the loss of topsoil and nutrients (Cleophas et al., 2022). Infiltration acts as a preventive measure against soil erosion, influences nutrient transport, and enhances the soil’s resilience to extreme weather events, consequently lowering the risk of flooding (Haghnazari et al., 2015).

The rate of infiltration is dynamic and can undergo substantial changes based on soil use, management practices, and over time. Recognizing its sensitivity to various factors, infiltration has been used as an indicator of soil health, especially in assessments evaluating the impacts of changes in land use (Arias et al., 2005; Allen, 2011).