Spatial Variation of Infiltration Rates in Relation to Soil Physical Properties tn Junagadh Taluka (Gujarat-India)

Abstract

Infiltration is a critical hydrological process influencing soil moisture, groundwater recharge, and agricultural productivity. Understanding the variability in infiltration rates across regions with semi-compacted soils is essential for sustainable water resource management. However, existing studies often fail to consider the combined effects of environmental factors, such as wind speed and temperature, along with soil structure and land use patterns. These limitations hinder the ability to comprehensively analyse infiltration dynamics, particularly in regions like Junagadh Taluka, Gujarat, India. This study addresses these gaps by evaluating infiltration rates across 24 blocks of Junagadh Taluka using a double-ring infiltrometer. The proposed work investigates the spatial and temporal variability in infiltration rates from 2023 to 2024, considering influencing factors such as soil compaction, vegetation cover, hydraulic conductivity, and environmental conditions. High-resolution measurements were conducted, accounting for soil properties, rainfall history, and surface characteristics, while incorporating map coordinates to analyse spatial distribution patterns. The results reveal a general increase in infiltration rates across most villages, with significant improvements observed in Khadiya (3.64 cm/h) and Toraniya (3.62 cm/h), attributed to better water management practices. Conversely, some villages, like Padariya (-2.41 cm/h) and Makhiyala (-1.21 cm/h), showed declines due to soil compaction and environmental degradation. The study highlights the importance of localized factors in influencing infiltration rates and provides valuable insights into improving water management practices for semi-compacted soils. The infiltration rates, water content and densities are assessed in five villages and the statistical results show the spatial variation and temporal trends as affected by the types of soils and the environment. This research contributes to understanding infiltration dynamics, offering practical recommendations for sustainable soil and water management in similar agro-ecological regions.