Soil Moisture Behavior in Relation to Topography and Land Use for Two Andean Colombian Catchments

Understanding the soil moisture behavior in relation to land use tropical Andean mountain catchments is essential for comprehending water fluxes, ecohydrological relations and hydrological dynamics this understudied ecosystem. Soils are a key factor of these ecosystems, especially reference level regulation anthropogenic activities that can alter interactions, generate physical, chemical biological imbalances. In study, we investigated relationship between precipitation, content (SWC) flow at different pedon scales, hillslope microcatchment scales subjected uses. The results showed soils uses, topographical conditions scale. At scale, higher with low variability depth; high throughout study period was registered forest > pasture coffee agroforestry systems. topographic wetness index (TWI), despite its adjusted interpretation humidity poor predictor Pedon has close precipitation behavior, prolonged dry humid periods. studied tend present udic regimes approximately 67 accumulative days per year. mean responds monthly consequences cover changes as well how interacts components hydric balance allows an understanding complex interactions natural microcatchments under