Temperature effects of soil hydraulic properties

Temperature dependence of soil hydraulic properties is typically accounted for by the so-called surface tension-viscous flow (STVF) theory, considering changing soil water properties only. However, there remains much uncertainty on temperature effects, as most reported research has been through laboratory experimentation on small soil cores using different methodologies for a limited range of soil types. Though effects of soil water properties can be measured accurately to verify the STVF theory, significant deviations are often reported, especially to quantify temperature dependence of the soil unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. In part, this is explained by soil temperature changing soil particle-soil solution interactions, as well as the soil's entrapped air and water volumes affecting pore connectivity and water retention.