Field

Material :

• Metal tube
• Hammer and wood block
• Marker
• 500 mL bottle or container
• Water
• Stopwatch or timer

Time needed:

Take around 15-30 min per sample (depending on infiltration rate)

Procedure:

1. Select one or ideally two sample(s) site per zone
2. Label these points with numbers, letters or names (e.g. inf1) both physically (e.g. using marking sticks) and on your site map so that you are able to come back to them again for taking subsequent measurements
3. Free a 1×1 m area of soil from vegetation
4. If the soil is too dry: Soak the soil slowly for several hours with water before the test until saturated OR do the test after 3 days after a substantial rainfall event with a clear forecast for the next three days.
5. Clear sampling area/trim vegetation
6. Drive the metal tube in the soil it is half-way in
7. Start the timer as you pour 500 mL water as gently as possible into the tin
8. Stop time when water is infiltrated (when surface is just glistening rather than submerged). If soil is uneven, count time until half of the surface is exposed and just shining.
9. Record time counts for each of the sample sites/management areas in the following table.