Soil surface drip point features: an integrated approach using analytical photogrammetry and soil micromorphology

This study considers changes occurring on a soil surface after exposure to simulated rainfall. The soil surface in question has a crop cover of artificial maize, and interest focuses specifically on the surface features produced by leaf drips. An analytical photogrammetric approach is used to examine surface morphological change at a small scale (1 mm). These topographical changes are then related to sub-surface crust development as observed by the use of impregnated polished blocks. For the first time therefore soil surface and soil sub-surface changes are integrated together in one study. The results reveal a ‘cut and fill' type process in which aggregate welding and breakdown operate in parallel.