Wetlands are intimately linked to subsoil moisture through their roles in groundwater recharge, slow water release, and modulation of the local water cycle, which together help maintain soil moisture in surrounding areas during both wet and dry periods.[1][2][3][4]
Wetland Hydrology and Soil Moisture
Wetlands exist as natural sponges, collecting, storing, and slowly releasing water into both the surface and subsoil layers. The movement of water through wetland soils, typically promoted by dense vegetation and periods of prolonged saturation, enables percolation into the subsoil and, in turn, supports higher soil moisture levels in adjacent landscapes. This is especially important for agricultural lands and drought-prone regions.[2][5][6][1]
Groundwater Recharge and Discharge
Wetlands recharge groundwater when the wetland water table stands higher than the local groundwater table, especially during periods of abundant precipitation. Conversely, in dry periods, groundwater can discharge back into wetlands, sustaining them and helping maintain subsoil moisture. The extent of this exchange is greatly influenced by subsoil permeability: wetlands over highly permeable subsurface soils exhibit much closer connections between wetland water, groundwater, and soil moisture than those over low-permeability substrates.[5][7][8][9][2]
Impact on Drought and Flood Moderation
By acting as buffers, wetlands help maintain local soil moisture during droughts by slowly releasing stored water and, during floods, by absorbing excess runoff which then gradually infiltrates into the subsoil. This leads to reduced erosion, moderated flooding, and sustained subsoil moisture during variable weather conditions.[10][4][1]
Ecological and Agricultural Implications
Healthy wetlands not only provide wildlife habitat but also help agricultural areas by ensuring stable subsoil moisture, reducing irrigation needs, and protecting against crop failure in dry spells. Loss or degradation of wetlands directly reduces subsoil moisture maintenance, often resulting in lower groundwater recharge rates and more variable soil hydrology.[3][7][6][1]
In summary, the hydrological connectivity between wetlands, surface water, and subsoil moisture forms a critical part of watershed function and resilience to changing climate patterns.[4][1][2]
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- https://abca.ca/downloads/Fact_Sheet_1_Wetlands_(3).pdf
- https://krakensense.com/blog/wetlands-water-quality
- https://bighillcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Hayashi-et-al-2016-hydrology-of-prairie-wetlands.pdf
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468584423000363
- https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/ceap-wetland-2020-SoilWaterBalanceImpactsWetlandEffectiveness.pdf
- https://www.parklandcounty.com/news/posts/agricultural-benefits-of-wetlands/
- https://ssmrca.ca/documents/assets/uploads/files/en/whyarewetlandsimportantfinal23feb07b.pdf
- https://frcnconservation.ca/what-is-a-wetland/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/002216949190161A
- https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/why-are-wetlands-important
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X24013359
- https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/wetlands_20hydrology.pdf
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2794054/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022169423002901
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07011784.2023.2269137
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/pubs/jrnl/2014/nrs_2014_jackson_001.pdf
- https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/ecology-of-wetland-ecosystems-water-substrate-and-17059765/
- https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/2299/
- https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2021/10/TRCA-Wetland-Modelling-Guidance-Document-August_2020-Final_.pdf
- https://www.hilarispublisher.com/open-access/wetland-hydrology-exploring-the-role-of-water-in-wetland-ecosystems.pdf
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