Abstract

RODRIGUEZ RETA, Isaac et al. Evaluation of the physical and hydrological properties of a Vertisol with different land use. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2024, vol.15, n.84, pp.105-131.  Epub Oct 22, 2024. ISSN 2007-1132.  https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v15i84.1463.

Land use changes can affect soil characteristics and ecosystem services such as the regulation of hydrological processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and hydrological properties of a Vertisol with different types of land use in the El Salto, Durango region. Three types were evaluated: forest, livestock and agriculture, carrying out infiltration tests using the double ring infiltrometer method. Likewise, in each land use, eight unaltered samples were extracted to determine permeability (Ks), eight samples for bulk density (BD) and total soil porosity (P%), all in two depth ranges (four from 0-10 cm and four from 10-20 cm). Results showed an increase of more than 100 % in initial infiltration (Ii), soil infiltration capacity (Ib) and total infiltrated layer (Ia) in agricultural use compared to forest use. Livestock use presented the lowest values in Ii, Ib and Ia. The two-factor ANOVA showed that all variables presented significant differences between land uses. The mean BD values ranged from 0.82 to 1.58 g cm-3, while the average P% was 53 %. Agricultural and livestock uses presented the lowest and highest values of BD and P% of the soil respectively at both depths. The Ks of the forest area was 0.0011 cm s-1, considered very low. The elimination of vegetation and the modifications of the physical properties of the soil due to changes in land use significantly influenced infiltration and permeability.

Keywords : Bulk density; forest; infiltration; permeability; porosity; soil.

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