Abstract
Wildlands play a special role in providing a reliable supply of high-quality water (Dissmeyer 2000), and, in particular, we rely on forest and rangeland soils to ensure clean, abundant water. Soils retain water and make it available to support vegetation, facilitate drainage to soil and ultimately to surface waters (streams and lakes), and recharge aquifers and groundwater. Soils also help regulate water quality by filtering out pollutants and regulating sediments. In this chapter, we explore the links between soil and water and evaluate some potential threats to the ability of forest and rangeland soils to provide clean, abundant water. We also identify information gaps and research needs.
Parent Publication
Keywords
wildlands,
water,
forest and rangeland soils
Citation
Adams, Mary Beth; Archer, Vince A.; Bailey, Scott; McGuire, Kevin; Miniat, Chelcy F.; Neary, Daniel G.; O’Geen, Toby; Robichaud, Peter R.; Strobel, Michael. 2020. Soils and water [Chapter 3]. In: Pouyat, Richard V.; Page-Dumroese, Deborah S.; Patel-Weynand, Toral; Geiser, Linda H., editors. 2020. Forest and rangeland soils of the United States under changing conditions: A comprehensive science synthesis. Springer, Cham. p. 33-49.
