Upland grassland management influences organo‐mineral soil properties and their hydrological function

Land-use change acts as a potential moderator of flood risk, affecting vegetation and soil properties thus influencing the storage flow water across landscapes. This study, conducted in northwest England, investigated physical their hydrological function using overland moisture sensors, for five upland grassland habitats each created through management action. Overland was common, occurring up to 60% time with longer durations excluded from grazing higher density vegetation. Soil varied significantly between habitats, but there no clear threshold flow. Surface 5-cm depth types, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) ranging several orders magnitude 1.3 × 10−3 1.5 102 m day−1. With shallow soils median Ks 2.4 day−1, saturation-excess determined main driver risk. Landscape found be significant grasslands therefore should strongly considered part management.