Water storage capacity of the soil

For the assessment of the sub-soil function ‘component of the water cycle habitat’, the criterion ‘water storage capacity of the soil’ is used, among other things. Soils absorb rainwater and store it in their soil pores. Thus, they have a significant influence on the water balance. A high water storage capacity distinguishes soils as particularly worthy of protection. The evaluation of the "water storage capacity" is carried out by assessing the usable field capacity of the potential root space up to a soil depth of maximum 1.5 meters. The characteristics for this are: Soil type of the fine soil, coarse soil fractions, rooting depth, usable field capacity, soil density and humus contents of the soil. Mapping data (guide profile data) of the FIS Soil of the Free State of Saxony are used to derive the water storage capacity. Soils with a high slope receive valuation discounts. The assessment does not directly assess the terrain position and climatic site conditions, although these are relevant for water storage capacity.