Bulk density of soils and impact on their hydraulic properties

Abstract

Soil bulk density is an integrative soil physical property containing valuable information on its porosity, level of compactness, and strength. It is a key state variable in the estimates of soil hydraulic properties, thus playing an important role in the definition of rainfall–infiltration– runoff–erosion relationships, heat and gas exchanges, seedling emergence, root growth, crop yields, and soil quality.