草地植被过滤带对高含沙坡面流泥沙的拦截效应研究

To evaluate the effect of vegetative filter strips on sediment trapping, the spatial distribution of deposited sediment, and the size distribution of deposited particles from hyperconcentrated flows, a simulated grass filter strip experiment was conducted with plastic grass using an adjustable slope steel flume. The simulated vegetation cover was 36%, and the inflow sediment concentrations applied were 147, 238, 320, and 429 kg m^-3. The sediment concentration in the outflow, and the sediment particle size were determined. The results showed that the grass filter strips trapped most of the sediment from inflow at low sediment concentration. The deposition efficiency decreased with increasing sediment concentration, being 55.2% and 15.7% in the 147 and 429 kg m^-3sediment treatments, respectively. Most of the deposited sediments were distributed in the upper flume. In addition, the grass filter strips mainly trapped the coarse sediment （particle size>10 μm）.     

Run-off transport of herbicides during natural and simulated rainfall and its reduction by vegetated filter strips

The efficiency of filter strips in protecting watercourses against herbicides in run‐off was evaluated in field experiments in western Germany. Surface run‐off caused by natural rainfall and related transport of metolachlor, terbuthylazine and pendimethalin were measured on plots of 40 m length without filter strips (F0), and after passing over three types of herbicide‐untreated field margin: 12 m conservation headland (CH12), 6 m (GF6) and 12 m grass strips (GF12). Run‐off was also measured after simulated rainfall on 7 m long plots without (F0) and with 3 m grass strips (GF3). All three herbicides were transported both in dissolved and in adsorbed forms; the partitioning depended on their water solubility with metolachlor and terbuthylazine mainly translocated in dissolved form (F0: highest mean concentrations for a natural run‐off event 721 and 220 μg L^?1, respectively). Pendimethalin was predominantly transported in adsorbed form (maximum mean concentration 11.2 μg L^?1). In the sediment, the highest mean herbicide contents in a single natural event (F0) accounted for 2294 μg kg^?1 (metolachlor), 1317 μg kg^?1 (terbuthylazine) and 5648 μg kg^?1 (pendimethalin). The proportions of applied herbicide translocated were 0.3% (metolachlor), 0.2% (terbuthylazine) and 0.06% (pendimethalin; F0, natural rainfall). The extent of herbicide transport decreased with time but within this trend soil sealing, soil moisture and amount and intensity of rainfall increased losses. Compared with the F0 plots, the reduction of herbicide translocation after natural rainfall reached 80–83% (CH12), 80–88% (GF6) and >99% (GF12) over the 3‐year period. The 12 m grass strips allowed only one extreme run‐off event to pass through, thus providing a highly effective watercourse protection against herbicide pollution.     

The influence of grass density on effectiveness of contour grass strips for control of soil erosion on low angle slopes

Abstract. The effectiveness of contour grass strips in erosion control was investigated in a field experiment involving two grass treatments ( Festuca ovina and Poa pratensis ) and a bare soil control on an erodible sandy loam soil on a 5° slope using simulated rainstorms of 40 mm h^–1 for 45 minutes duration. The grass strips resulted in significantly ( P < 0.05) lower runoff and soil loss than the bare soil but there was no significant difference in the performance of the two grasses, despite their differences in density, height and leaf size. The effect of the lower density of the Poa pratensis was offset by its larger stem diameter so that the surface area facing the flow was similar for both grasses. Instead of acting as a filter with sedimentation occurring within the barrier, the grass strips operated by ponding water upslope of the barriers. Deposition then occurred in the ponded area above the barrier.     

Effects of grass vegetation strips on soil conservation and crop yield under rainfed conditions in the Indian sub‐Himalayas

Vegetation strips (VS) along with conservation tillage, application of organic amendments and weed mulching improve crop yields by reducing run‐off and topsoil erosion. To investigate these issues, an experiment was conducted under rainfed conditions using grass VS for four and a half years (June 2007 to October 2011) at Dehradun, Uttarakhand, in the Indian Himalayan region. VS were incorporated in the experimental plots (Entisols) in a randomized complete block design in permanent 100 × 20 m (2000 m²) plots with a 2% slope to evaluate the effects of vegetation strips on run‐off, soil loss and crop yield. Three treatments were evaluated: (i) without VS with recommended NPK under conventional tillage, (ii) panicum as VS with recommended NPK under conventional tillage and (iii) palmarosa+ that consists of palmarosa as VS along with organic amendments (farmyard manure, vermicompost and poultry manure) and weed mulch under minimum tillage. The results show that soil loss and run‐off were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in plots under palmarosa+ than without VS treatment. Mean soil loss of 3.4, 5.2 and 7.1 t/ha was recorded from palmarosa+, panicum and without VS treated plots, respectively. Mean run‐off was 234, 356 and 428 mm from plots under palmarosa+, panicum and without VS, respectively. Maize yield was lower on the plots under palmarosa+ compared with panicum, but significantly higher (P < 0.05) than without a strip. The succeeding rainfed wheat yield was significantly greater in plots under palmarosa+ than in the initial years. The wheat yield equivalent was significantly higher in plots under palmarosa+ followed by panicum and without VS. Thus, vegetation strips are recommended for wider adoption to reduce run‐off and soil loss and to increase crop yield. The long‐term goal is to achieve a palmarosa+ system (palmarosa as a vegetation strip along with organic amendments, farmyard manure, vermicompost and poultry manure) and weed mulch under minimum tillage.     

Soil Conservation Through Sediment Trapping: A Review

Preventing the off‐site effects of soil erosion is an essential part of good catchment management. Most efforts are in the form of on‐site soil and water conservation measures. However, sediment trapping can be an alternative (additional) measure to prevent the negative off‐site effects of soil erosion. Therefore, not all efforts should focus solely on on‐site soil conservation but also on the safe routing of sediment‐laden flows and on creating sites and conditions where sediment can be trapped. Sediment trapping can be applied on‐site and off‐site and involves both vegetative and structural measures. This paper provides an extensive review of scientific journal articles, case studies and other reports that have assessed soil conservation efforts and the sediment trapping efficacy (STE) of vegetative and structural measures. The review is further illustrated through participatory field observation and stakeholders' interview. Vegetation type and integration of two or more measures are important factors influencing STE. In this review, the STE of most measures was evaluated either individually or in such combinations. In real landscape situations, it is not only important to select the most efficient erosion control measures but also to determine their optimum location in the catchment. Hence, there is a need for research that shows a more integrated determination of STE at catchment scale. If integrated measures are implemented at the most appropriate spatial locations within a catchment where they can disconnect landscape units from each other, they will decrease runoff velocity and sediment transport and, subsequently, reduce downstream flooding and sedimentation problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同草带覆盖位置条件下坡沟系统侵蚀产沙差异性

以坡沟系统单元为研究对象,利用室内降雨试验,结合三维激光扫描和微地貌分析技术,研究不同草带覆盖位置下坡沟系统侵蚀产沙差异性。结果表明:一些布设在合适位置的草带能够在p0.05水平上显著影响坡沟系统的径流量和产沙量。植被布设于坡面中下部比布设于坡面上部具有更好的水沙调控作用,植被布设于坡面长度60%时,径流量和产沙量分别减少7.35%和62.93%,直接拦沙功效优于蓄水减沙功效,水土保持功效达到最优。植被布设于坡面下部时,其侵蚀输沙过程的剧烈程度得到了缓解,植被调控侵蚀发育的作用体现。植被布设于坡面中下部时,下垫面仅有52%的区域发生侵蚀,其侵蚀输沙过程的剧烈程度明显减少,植被调控侵蚀作用有效限制了侵蚀发育。植被布设于坡面中部和中上部时,加剧了侵蚀的发育程度。研究结果有助于更好地理解植被优化配置。     

Impact of grass filter strips length on exported dissolved masses of metolachlor,atrazine and deethylatrazine: a four‐season study under natural rain conditions

Herbicides atrazine and metolachlor have been detected in water bodies across the world. The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of 0‐m, 3‐m, 6‐m and 9‐m grass filter strips to reduce masses of dissolved metolachlor, atrazine and deethylatrazine (a degradation product of atrazine) exported in runoff. For that purpose, 16 uncultivated plots (3‐m wide × 65‐m long) with 0‐m‐, 3‐m‐, 6‐m‐ and 9‐m‐long grass filter strips were setup in a completely randomized block design. During four seasons, masses of dissolved atrazine, metolachlor and deethylatrazine were determined for the first four to five rain events, under natural rain conditions, after atrazine and metolachlor application. Generally, grass filter strips reduced exported herbicide masses by more than 90% and influenced atrazine and metolachlor dissipation kinetics in the field. The 3‐m grass filter strip (area ratio source/strip of 22:1) usually provided a reduction in exported herbicide masses similar to the 6‐ or 9‐m grass filter strips. Therefore, under the present experimental soil and climate conditions, a grass filter strip of 3 m would be a good compromise between environmental protection of surface waters against atrazine and metolachlor contamination and conservation of agricultural land use. Such an approach contributes to the acceptability by producers to implement optimized best management practices such as vegetated filter strips for the preservation of the quality of water resources.     

草带宽度对紫色土坡面细沟形态及水土流失特征的影响

为了解不同草带宽度对紫色土坡耕地水土流失的影响,以铺设四季青草带的紫色土坡面为研究对象,采用放水冲刷模拟试验,以裸坡为对照组,研究不同放水冲刷流量和草带宽度条件下坡面细沟形态变化和减沙减流效应.结果表明:(1)沟深随草带宽度增大呈先减小后增大趋势,而沟宽、沟长和沟宽深比均随草带宽度呈先增加后减小趋势;此外,沟宽、沟深和...     

Contour grass strips for soil erosion control on steep lands: a laboratory evaluation

Abstract. The effectiveness of Festuca ovina and Poa pratensis as contour grass strips for erosion control was examined in a laboratory experiment for an crodible sandy loam soil on 21, 25 and 29% slopes. No significant differences P <0.05 were observed in runoff between the plots with grass strips and bare soil but significant differences in soil loss were recorded. Both grasses reduced crosion in the early part of the simulated storms by ponding water behind the barrier, filtering sediment and causing deposition within the ponded area. The P. pratensis barrier was less rigid and became flattened under submergence in the later part of the storms. Runoff flowed over the grass strip forming rills on the slope below, which then cut back and undermined the barrier. These barriers resulted in as much soil loss as bare soil towards the end of the storms on all three slopes. The F. ovina was effective in controlling erosion on the 21% and 25% slopes but not on the 29% slope.     

草本植被过滤带对径流中泥沙和除草剂的去除效果

除草剂阿特拉津的大量使用在提高农业生产效率、增加作物产量的同时,也导致了严重的环境污染。该研究通过在土槽上进行浑水冲刷试验,定量研究了禾本科草本植被过滤带（狼尾草Pennisetum alopecuroides (Linn.) Spreng和野古草Arundinella hirta (Thunb.) C. Tanaka）对径流、泥沙、以及阿特拉津的拦截效果。结果表明,禾本科草本植被过滤带能有效拦截径流,拦截率可达88%;并显著降低泥沙和阿特拉津流失量,但其作用效果受泥沙和阿特拉津的进水浓度影响较大。当进水泥沙浓度为20、40、60 g/L时,植被过滤带对泥沙的拦截率分别为95%、93%、85%;当进水阿特拉津浓度为0.3、0.6、0.9 mg/L时,植被过滤带对阿特拉津的拦截率分别为95%、92%、91%。另外,植被过滤带对泥沙和阿特拉津的拦截率随时间延长呈逐渐降低趋势,试验开始后第1、10、20、40、60分钟的泥沙拦截率分别为97%、95%、93%、91%、87%,阿特拉津拦截率分别为97%、93%、90%、86%、84%;同时,阿特拉津出流浓度与径流量有显著相关关系（r1=0.88,r2=0.93,r3=0.94）,表明径流量在一定程度上决定了阿特拉津出流浓度和出流量。研究证实,植被过滤带能有效降低阿特拉津随径流流失量,对阿特拉津引起的农业面源污染具有较好防治效果。     

基于VFSMOD模型的黄土坡面生草带产流产沙动态模拟

利用微型径流小区和人工降雨试验,探讨运用VFSMOD模型评估和预测引入不同草种生草带后黄土坡面产流产沙动态特征的可行性。通过土壤物理性质参数和生草带生长状态参数的差异,模型还原了黄土坡面引入白三叶生草带与百脉根生草带后产流产沙特征的差异及其随生长时期的变化,模拟效果可靠,纳什系数:0.93(径流系数),0.98(修正后产沙量);归一化均方根误差:6.2%(径流系数),10.9%(修正后产沙量)。当生草带在降雨集中期(如本研究中百脉根草带9月上旬)不能保证较好的生长状态和地表覆盖时,其坡面产沙量急剧增大,且明显大于VFSMOD模型模拟值。在实际生草带设计时,应避免该情况发生。综上,VFSMOD模型适用于引入生草带后黄土坡面产流、产沙量的模拟和预测。     

Reducing Sediment Connectivity Through man‐Made and Natural Sediment Sinks in the Minizr Catchment,Northwest Ethiopia

Man‐made and natural sediment sinks provide a practical means for reducing downstream reservoir sedimentation by decreasing soil erosion and enhancing the rate of sedimentation within a catchment. The Minizr catchment (20 km²) in the northwest Ethiopian highlands contains numerous man‐made soil and water conservation (SWC) structures such as soil bunds (Erken), fanya juu ridge (Cab) and micro‐trenches and natural sediment sinks such as wetlands, floodplains and grassed waterways. These sediment sinks reduce downstream sedimentation into the Koga reservoir, located at the catchment outlet, however, a large quantity of sediment is still reaching the reservoir. This study evaluates the function and effectiveness of both man‐made SWC structures and natural sediment sinks in reducing sediment export from the Minizr catchment. SWC structures and natural sediment sinks were digitized using Google Earth Imagery. Sediment pins and vertical sampling through the deposit were used to quantify the amount of deposited sediment. In addition, inflow and outflow of suspended sediment data were used to calculate the sediment‐trapping efficacies (STE) of man‐made SWC structures (soil bunds and fanya juu ridges) and natural sediment sinks. Results reveal that 144 km soil bunds and fanya juu ridges trapped 7,920 Mg y⁻¹ (55 kg m⁻¹ y⁻¹) and micro‐trenches trapped 13·26 Mg y⁻¹, each micro‐trench on average trapped 23 kg y⁻¹. The 17 ha floodplain located in the centre of the catchment trapped 9,970 Mg y⁻¹ (59 kg m⁻² y⁻¹), while a wetland with a surface area of 24 ha, located near the outlet of the catchment, trapped 8,715 Mg y⁻¹ (36 kg m⁻² y⁻¹). The STEs of soil bunds and fanya juu ridges, wetlands and floodplains were 54%, 85% and 77%, respectively. Substantial differences were observed between the STE of grassed and un‐grassed waterways at 75% and 21%, respectively. Existing man‐made and natural sediment sinks played an important role in trapping sediment, with 38% (26,600 Mg y⁻¹) of transported sediment being trapped, while 62% (43,000 Mg y⁻¹) is exported from the catchment and thus enters the Koga reservoir. Therefore, additional catchment treatment measures are required as an integrated catchment scale sediment trapping approach to help reduce sediment loads entering Koga reservoir. Moreover, to maximize the effectiveness of sediment trapping measures, avoid structural failure and ensure their sustainability, regular maintenance is needed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Participatory soil and water conservation planning using an erosion mapping tool in the central highlands of Kenya

Despite several approaches that aimed at mobilising East African farmers to embrace soil and water conservation (SWC) activities, farmers hardly responded since they were seldom involved in the planning of SWC activities. Two tools that employ farmers' participation were developed and applied at Gikuuri catchment in Kenya. The first tool involved farmers to map soil erosion using their own indicators and determine the soil erosion status at catchment scale. This formed the basis upon which they undertook to plan for SWC measures at catchment scale. Farmers also predicted crop yield losses based on the soil erosion status. Farmers widely approved the soil erosion status map since their own indicators and perceptions were used. The second tool provided cash flow trends for a variety of SWC activities and farmer situations. Farmers can use land with a high, moderate or low erosion status and often have rather different socio‐economic settings. The net benefits over 5 yr for bench terraces, fanya juu terraces and grass strips were illustrated to assist farmers in making informed decisions on SWC adoption. The two tools increased awareness on the need for collective actions among farmers and showed fields that cause run‐on on downslope fields. The improved awareness of erosion problems and the related financial consequences increased farmers' willingness to share the investment costs for cut‐off drains. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

百喜草覆盖和敷盖对中国南方红壤坡地径流和产沙的影响

Rainfall,runoff (surface runoff,interflow and groundwater runoff) and soil loss from 5 m × 15 m plots were recorded for 5 years (2001-2005) in an experiment with three treatments (cover,mulch and bare ground) on sloping red soil in southern China.Surface runoff and erosion from the Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) cover plot (A) and mulch plot (B) during the 5 years were low,despite the occurrence of potentially erosive rains.In contrast,the bare plot (C) had both the highest surface runoff coefficient and the highest sediment yield.There were significant differences in interflow and surface runoff and no significant difference in groundwater runoff among plots.The runoff coefficients and duration of interflow and groundwater runoff were in the order plot B > plot A > plot C.Effects of Bahia grass cover were excellent,indicating that the use of Bahia grass cover can be a simple and feasible practice for soil and water conservation on sloping red soil in the region.     

草带措施对坡耕地产流产沙和氮磷迁移的控制作用

植被在坡面的位置对坡面保持水土的作用是不同的。动态监测澄江抚仙湖一级支流尖山河小流域坡耕地降雨-径流过程及水土流失量,研究草带措施对云南红壤坡耕地产流产沙和氮磷迁移的削减作用。结果表明:草带调控处理下雨季降雨量、总产流次数、径流深和土壤侵蚀量较原状坡面明显减少,次降雨下,宽草带的径流控制率和土壤侵蚀控制率分别为79.19%和64.55%,窄草带的径流控制率和土壤侵蚀控制率分别为85.15%和73.77%,坡耕地土壤侵蚀量变异系数>径流深变异系数>降雨量变异系数,原状坡面变异系数间增幅差异为31.42%,宽草带调控措施作用下变异系数间增幅差异为20.37%,窄草带调控措施作用下变异系数间增幅差异为19.11%,窄草带对坡耕地径流和泥沙的调控能力更强;宽草带和窄草带2种草带作用下,径流氮磷迁移浓度差异不显著,较原状坡面相比,草带措施明显控制氮磷迁移通量,径流总氮迁移通量控制率分别为81.23%和81.68%,铵态氮迁移通量控制率为78.25%和59.50%,总磷迁移通量控制率为71.36%和82.03%;径流泥沙速效养分含量明显增加,较原状坡面相比,草带措施能明显控制径流泥沙氮磷迁移通量,且径流泥沙氮磷迁移控制率较径流氮磷迁移控制率高,径流泥沙全氮迁移通量控制率为98.43%和94.30%,碱解氮迁移通量控制率为98.43%和93.10%,全磷迁移通量控制率为96.43%和89.77%,速效磷迁移通量控制率为90.34%和57.43%。     

基于WEPP模型的水土保持措施因子与侵蚀量关系研究

水土保持措施能够有效减少水土流失,是土壤侵蚀过程中的一个重要影响因子。以北京市延庆县水土保持科技示范园的径流小区观测数据为基础,利用WEPP模型模拟了坡面不同水土保持措施下的侵蚀量,结果表明:(1)植被盖度与侵蚀量呈负相关关系,植被盖度越高侵蚀量越少,当盖度50%时侵蚀量会显著减少,且植被有效盖度的阈值为70%;(2)梯田的土壤侵蚀过程主要发生在田坎处,水平田面几乎没有水土流失,侵蚀量与田坎高成正比,与田面宽成反比。在北方土石山区,水平梯田田坎高度不宜超过2.5 m,田面宽不宜小于5 m;(3)粮—草间作能有效减少土壤侵蚀量,且草带所占比例越大减蚀效益越好。在水土保持为主的坡耕地上适合推广粮:草比为2:4的间作配置模式。研究结果对于北方土石山区的土壤侵蚀研究以及水土保持措施的配置具有一定参考意义。     

Effects of vertical hedge interval of vetiver grass on erosion on steep agricultural lands

Vetiver grass is widely used to reduce soil erosion and has been applied in many areas of the world. However, studies of the effect of vertical hedge intervals on runoff, soil loss and outflow sediment size distribution under a steep slope area are rare. The vetiver grass system (VGS) with three vertical hedge intervals (0·75, 1·5 and 3 m) and no hedgerow were tested at three land slopes (30, 40 and 50 per cent) under three simulated rainfall intensities (60, 85 and 110 mm h⁻¹). It has been observed that vetiver grass (Vetiveria nemoralis) has great potential for reducing runoff and soil loss by about 38·7–68·6 and 56·2–87·9 per cent, respectively. The vetiver strips delayed incipient runoff and reduced peak runoff rate and steady erosion rate. The land slope affected soil loss but did not have a significant effect on runoff. A narrow vetiver hedge interval slightly reduced runoff and soil loss more than a wider one. The soil loss equation obtained in this study revealed that runoff has a higher effect on soil loss. The median sediment size that passed through the vetiver strip increased with rainfall intensity and was mostly dominated by very fine sand, silt and clay. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessing extractable soil phosphorus methods in estimating phosphorus concentrations in surface run‐off from Calcic Hapludolls

Understanding soil test phosphorus (STP) and surface run‐off phosphorus (P) relationships for soils is necessary for P management. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of various soil test indices to predict P losses in surface run‐off. Selected sites were subjected to in situ rainfall simulations according to the protocol of the National Phosphorus Research Project ( NPRP, 2001 ). P from a composite of twenty‐four 2.0‐cm‐diameter core soil samples (0–5 cm) was extracted using the Olsen, Bray–Kurtz, Mehlich III, distilled water and 0.01 m calcium chloride procedures. All of these P extraction methods explained a significant amount of variability in surface run‐off total dissolved P [TP (<0.45)] (r² ≥ 0.67; P ≤ 0.01), where 0.45 is the filter pore diameter in microns. Multiple regression models showed extractable P to be the best soil predictor of surface run‐off TP (<0.45) among the studied soils. Despite extraction method or soil type, extractable P was the best soil predictor of surface run‐off TP (<0.45). Either agronomic (0.92 ≤ r² ≤ 0.96) or environmental (0.94 ≤ r² ≤ 0.96) soil tests were effective in estimating surface run‐off TP (<0.45) in select Mollisols.     

Assessing the potential of changing land use for reducing soil erosion and sediment yield of catchments: a case study in the highlands of northern Ethiopia

Reservoir sedimentation is the most serious threat for water harvesting schemes and hydroelectric power dams in Ethiopia. Designing watershed conservation strategies and management is crucial to reduce the rate of sedimentation. Because different landscape types have varying potentials for enhancing erosion processes, site‐ and process‐specific conservation measures are needed to target an appropriate intervention to the most needed locations. In this study, a GIS‐based distributed soil erosion/deposition model was used to simulate the potential of land‐use and cover (LUC) changes and conservation measures for reducing water induced soil erosion and potential sediment yield for two catchments in northern Ethiopia. LUC change and conservation measures targeted gully and stream buffers, protection of steep slopes and protection of areas with soil loss greater than a given threshold. The results show that land management measures targeted at hot‐spot areas of erosion and gully formation could reduce potential annual sediment yield from catchments by approximately 60% compared with the current losses. The study demonstrates the potential of a GIS‐based LUC‐redesign approach as a tool for optimizing land‐use and management strategies to reduce run‐off and erosion rates in the highlands of northern Ethiopia.     

Effects of soil‐surface microbial community phenotype upon physical and hydrological properties of an arable soil: a microcosm study

The nature of the first few millimetres of the soil surface strongly affects water infiltration rates, generation of run‐off, soil detachment and sediment transport. We hypothesized that the phenotypic community structure of the soil‐surface microbiota affects the physical and hydrological properties of an arable soil. A range of contrasting microbial community phenotypes were established in microcosms by manipulating the wavelength of light reaching the soil surface, with the microcosms being incubated in the field for approximately 6 months. Phenotypes were characterized by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA), ergosterol and chlorophyll analysis. The microcosms were then subjected to simulated rainfall at an intensity of 60 mm hour⁻¹ for 20 minutes at a slope gradient of 9°. Water infiltration rates, run‐off generation, soil loss (including a particle‐size analysis of the sediment) and soil‐surface shear strength were quantified. Distinct microbial phenotypes developed on the soil surfaces with UV‐A and restricted‐UV treatments when compared with subsurface layers. There was significantly greater fungal biomass in the no‐light treatment when compared with all other treatments, with approximately 4.5 times more ergosterol being extracted from the subsurface layer of the no‐light treatment when compared with other treatments. The no‐light treatment produced the greatest amount of run‐off, which was approximately 15% greater than the restricted photosynthetically‐active radiation (PAR) treatment. Significant differences between treatments were also found in shear strengths, with increasing strength being correlated with increasing ergosterol concentration. Water infiltration, erosion and the sediment concentrations in run‐off were not significantly different between treatments. This work demonstrates that the quality of light reaching the soil surface affects the microbial phenotype, in turn producing functional consequences with regard to the physical and hydrological properties of arable soil surfaces.