Soil function: water flow and quality

Soil function: Controlling and regulating flow and water quality

Soils are often described as a bio-engine controlling most of the key natural life cycles. Soils regulate the transformation and transport of nutrients, potential contaminants buffering and transforming pollutants, aerial deposits and organic compounds.

Soils also play a key role in regulating the flow of water and amount of runoff as most of the volume of organic soils (peat and wetland soils) consists of water.

Threats to this soil function as defined in the Scottish Soil Framework

Major effect

• Climate change: soil's ability to store and retain water and buffer pollutants may be reduced; possible increase in compaction and erosion risk, reducing soil fertility, decreasing crop yields and increasing risk of pollutants entering watercourses; increased risk of flooding
• Loss of organic matter
• Sealing
• Acidification and eutrophication

Minor effect

• Loss of biodiversity
• Contamination

Minor effect but locally important

• Soil erosion
• Pesticides
• Compaction and structural damage

No effect

• Salinisation