ABSTRACT:The objective of this study was to investigate the use of Green and Ampt infiltration equation parameters (determined by least squares fitting of field infiltration data or predicted from soil texture properties) to characterize infiltration on spatially varying rangeland sites. It was found that a least squares regression approach reduces the physically based parameters in the Green and Ampt to empirical coefficients since negative coefficients are obtained, particularly on plots with low infiltration rates. Green and Ampt parameters predicted from soil texture data describe infiltration rates less than 3 cm/hr. The applicability of these Green and Ampt parameters appears limited to sites with lower infiltration rates. Results indicate that soil texture predictive triangles, developed to describe infiltration on agricultural soils, need revision to adequately describe infiltration patterns on rangelands.
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