Direction-dependency of soil hydraulic and mechanical properties

Soil structure induces vertical or horizontal direction dependency in water flow and mechanical behavior. These effects are exacerbated by anthropogenic induced plate structure formation, where soil deformation due to mechanical loads can lead to a distinct horizontal anisotropy of the soil pore system. This promotes surface runoff and thus increased soil erosion and may reduce biomass productivity. The direction-dependent differences in intensity parameter (i.e., hydraulic conductivity, air-permeability) due to soil deformation can be effectively linked to the pore size distribution and continuity.