Impact of climate, soil properties and grassland cover on soil water repellency

Numerous soil water repellency (SWR) studies have investigated the possible causes of this temporal phenomenon, yet there remains a lack knowledge on order importance main driving forces SWR in context changing environmental conditions under grassland ecosystems. To study separate and combined effects texture, climate, cover type inducing or altering SWR, four sites from different climatic regions were selected: Ciavolo (CI, IT), Csólyospálos (CSP, HU), Pwllpeiran (PW, UK), Sekule (SE, SK). The parameters extent (determined by indices RI, RIc RIm) persistence drop penetration time (WDPT) cessation time, WRCT) as well field (Sw) ethanol (Se) sorptivity, sorptivity hydrophobic state (Swh) nearly wettable (Sww) hydraulic conductivity (K). Our findings showed an area land has greater likelihood being repellent if it sandy texture and/or high frequency prolonged drought events. Water infiltration was positively correlated with all sorptivities (r = 0.32–0.88), but mostly negatively RI – 0.54 at CI), WDPT 0.47 CI) WRCT 0.58 CI). natural synanthropized vegetation covers regards to not coherent; moving having coarser drier zones led higher risk conditions. Climate change been predicted lead more frequent extreme weather events dry periods across Europe, which will most likely increase SWR-affected areas role management Therefore, is need determine prevent decreases moisture content, fertility, carbon nitrogen sink potentials, biomass production related agro-ecosystems.