Boundary floor distance

The boundary surface distance is a parameter in hydrology that describes the depth up to which the groundwater level, due to capillary rise, has an impact on evaporation and yield . It is a maximum of 3.5 meters.

Boundary floor distance = WE + capillary ascent

(WE: effective root penetration)

If the distance between the groundwater surface and the upper edge of the terrain (the distance from the floor ) is greater than the boundary floor distance , the vegetation at this point is only exposed to precipitation and irrigation . This means that the soil (or the plants rooted on it) cannot make use of the groundwater during dry periods .

Web links

• Basic procedures and methods of soil science: Air and water balance of soils , seminar script Faculty of Geosciences, Geographical Institute, Ruhr University Bochum (PDF file; 1.1 MB)
• Boundary soil distance based on the effective root space. Geological Survey North Rhine-Westphalia