Hello everyone!
As part of a restoration program in Costa Rica North Caribbean region, I took measures of bulk density, porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity (only superficial - that turned out to be quite limitating), as well as penetration resistance measures (5 to 100cm depth), both in grasslands and in silvopastures (tree cover >30%).
I also conducted an infiltration test using the USDA Soil Quality Test Kit Guide, but the soil was so saturated it did not really work and I don’t have these data.
My idea was to use the results, alongside with other results for bulk density, penetration resistance etc. published, to model the Ecosystem Services that both grasslands and silvopastures supply (specially flood protection, seasonal water yield and sediment retention), and maybe even offer a silvopasture runoff number, since I have not found any reference.
I could also have the chance to repeat the same measurements in the South Caribbean region, to obtain more data.
My question is: how would you translate any of these indicators into the runoff coefficient? Is it possible to do so? It would be awesome to use the penetration resistance data since it’s the one that truly reflects the full soil profile, plus it was the only measure that offered significant differences between Grassland and Silvopasture.
If those measurements are not valid to obtain the runoff, what other field measure would you recommend in order to obtain this number? (The easier the better, since the idea is to train locals to keep measuring it over time).
Or maybe, even: does anybody have literature that offers a runoff number for silvopasture?
Thanks so much in advance! I know it’s a lot of things. I hope I can offer the results to the community in return 