Effects of rainfall intensity and antecedent moisture on the steady‐state infiltration rate in a semi‐arid region

The infiltration and runoff responses of degraded and non‐degraded semi‐arid land surfaces were investigated by rainfall simulation in the Lowveld of Swaziland. The hydrological response of the soil was controlled by changes in the properties of the soil surface, the nature of which was dependent upon rainfall intensity and antecedent moisture, as well as upon soil type and condition. Rather than there being one final steady‐state infiltration rate for a given soil type and condition (i.e. a constant of soil response), the final rates achieved were variable for each soil type and condition, and depended upon rainfall intensity and antecedent moisture. The implications of this for soil use and management in terms of infiltration measurement and runoff assessment are considered.