Waterlogging - Causes, Effects, and Solutions (2024)

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11 Comments Leave a Reply Waterlogging: Causes of Waterlogging: Effects of Waterlogging: Solutions of Waterlogging: FAQs

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Waterlogging - Causes, Effects, and Solutions (1)

INTRODUCTION

Waterlogging: It is defined as water-saturated soil commonly known as waterlogged. The waterlogging conditions are further described as an excessive amount of water present in the soil that restricts airflow/gaseous exchange into it and results in an anaerobic situation.

Also check out another related topic: Salinity – Types, Causes, Effects, and Solutions

CAUSES OF WATERLOGGING

Soil permeability plays an important role in water-logging situations. If the soil is highly porous or least permeable, both have more chances of suffering water-logged conditions. Waterlogging is caused by various factors that are listed below.

  1. Heavy Rainfall: Heavy rainfall may result in water-logged soil that may last for days due to less porous soil.
  2. Intensive Irrigation: This method of irrigation causes the rise of groundwater table because water percolates deeply and the soil becomes waterlogged.
  3. Water Seepage: Water seepage from highlands or canals due to the high porosity of soil results in waterlogging.
  4. Topography: Topography is one of the causes of waterlogging. The flat or irregular land surface that has depression suffers from excess water accumulation.
  5. Natural Drainage: Soil such as clay is less permeable than other soil types. This indicates the absence of natural drainage. In case of floods, the soil will suffer from water logging conditions.

EFFECTS OF WATERLOGGING

  1. Salinity: Water logging causes salinity which affects agricultural lands.
  2. Less Crop Yield: Water-logged soil makes land unfit for crops. The growing crops are damaged by water-logged conditions. Hence this results in less crop yield.
  3. Weeds: Water logging encourages the growth of water-loving plants such as weeds. These plants affect vegetation.
  4. Cultivation: It’s almost impossible to cultivate land which is waterlogged.
  5. Soil health: Water logging affects soil health. Naturally occurring elements in the soil get dissolved in an excessive amount of water and make it less productive.
  6. Humans: Water-logged areas are open sources of vector-borne diseases such as typhoid, malaria, etc.

SOLUTIONS OF WATERLOGGING

Waterlogging conditions can be prevented by multiple techniques.

  1. Lift-irrigation System: In this method groundwater table is used for irrigation through tube wells and this helps against rising water table.
  2. Afforestation: Planting trees in areas that are prone to waterlogging can be a possible solution to this condition.
  3. Drainage: There should be intercepting drains and an effective drainage system along with canals to prevent waterlogging.
  4. Preventing Intensive Irrigation: Intensive irrigation systems should be avoided in areas that may become waterlogged.
  5. Bio-drainage: It involves growing plant species that absorb a high quantity of water from the soil. This natural vegetation cover may help against waterlogging.

Also read:Sustainable Forest Management – Methods and Importance

CONCLUSION

Productive lands promote plant growth and produce more crops. Soil health is essential for crop yields. Waterlogging is one of the soil conditions that hinder plant growth and results in less crop yield. To prevent waterlogging effective measures should be taken such as planting more trees and lift the irrigation system. Waterlogging also is a serious threat to food security.

You might also like:Mangroves and their Destruction – Causes, Effects, and Conservation Techniques

I hope you all liked this post! Please comment below if you have any suggestions, comments, or feedback! We at #envpk love hearing from our readers! Thanks!

11 Comments

  1. Thanks so much. Please i wish to use this some parts of this article. Please full name of the writer for reference. Thanks

    1. You are welcome. You can use the name Ajwah R. as a reference.

  2. great effort it is very helpful indeed.

      1. Thanks so much for this information it’s so helpful.

        1. You are welcome and Thank you so much!

  4. Thank you for this enlightening writeup

  5. Thanks for the info on waterlogging. I think that many underestimate this point and do not fully understand how it affects the soil. I’ve dealt with this myself, more than once. Therefore, I read a lot of information and learned in detail the information in the article https://eos.com/blog/soil-fertility/. It was also cool to learn how you can track soil fertility with EOSDA Crop Monitoring.

Leave a Reply

Greetings, readers. I am Ajwah R., an environmental expert and enthusiast with a profound understanding of the intricate web of environmental issues and solutions. My expertise extends to the realm of environmental science, and I have actively contributed to discussions, research, and practical solutions in this field. As someone deeply committed to addressing environmental challenges, I have immersed myself in the study of topics such as waterlogging, salinity, and sustainable land management.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:

Waterlogging:

Waterlogging refers to the condition of soil being saturated with an excessive amount of water, impeding airflow and leading to anaerobic conditions. This phenomenon can be caused by heavy rainfall, intensive irrigation, water seepage, topography, and natural drainage issues.

Causes of Waterlogging:

  1. Heavy Rainfall:

    • Explanation: Excessive rainfall can lead to waterlogged soil, especially if the soil is less porous.
    • Expert Insight: Understanding the impact of rainfall on soil permeability is crucial in predicting waterlogging events.

  2. Intensive Irrigation:

    • Explanation: Over-irrigation can raise the groundwater table, causing waterlogging.
    • Expert Insight: Knowledge of irrigation methods and their potential consequences is vital for sustainable land use.

  3. Water Seepage:

    • Explanation: Seepage from highlands or canals due to highly porous soil can result in waterlogging.
    • Expert Insight: Recognizing soil characteristics and their impact on water movement is fundamental.

  4. Topography:

    • Explanation: Flat or irregular land surfaces with depressions are prone to water accumulation.
    • Expert Insight: Understanding the role of topography in water management is crucial for effective land use planning.

  5. Natural Drainage:

    • Explanation: Less permeable soils like clay contribute to waterlogging, especially in flood conditions.
    • Expert Insight: Recognizing soil types and their drainage capabilities is essential for assessing flood risk.

Effects of Waterlogging:

  1. Salinity:

    • Explanation: Waterlogging causes salinity, negatively affecting agricultural lands.
    • Expert Insight: Understanding the link between waterlogging and salinity is vital for sustainable farming.

  2. Less Crop Yield:

    • Explanation: Waterlogged soil renders land unsuitable for crops, leading to reduced yields.
    • Expert Insight: Recognizing the impact of waterlogging on crop productivity is essential for food security.

  3. Weeds:

    • Explanation: Waterlogging promotes the growth of water-loving plants, including weeds.
    • Expert Insight: Awareness of ecological changes in waterlogged conditions is crucial for vegetation management.

  4. Cultivation:

    • Explanation: Waterlogged land is nearly impossible to cultivate.
    • Expert Insight: Knowledge of the limitations posed by waterlogging on land use is essential for sustainable agriculture.

  5. Soil Health:

    • Explanation: Waterlogging negatively affects soil health, reducing its productivity.
    • Expert Insight: Understanding the intricate relationship between soil health and waterlogging is essential for land management.

  6. Human Health:

    • Explanation: Waterlogged areas pose health risks due to the prevalence of vector-borne diseases.
    • Expert Insight: Recognizing the link between environmental conditions and public health is crucial for community well-being.

Solutions of Waterlogging:

  1. Lift-Irrigation System:

    • Explanation: Utilizing groundwater through tube wells helps counter rising water tables.
    • Expert Insight: Implementing sustainable irrigation methods is crucial for water table management.

  2. Afforestation:

    • Explanation: Planting trees in water-prone areas can mitigate waterlogging.
    • Expert Insight: Understanding the role of vegetation in water management is vital for ecosystem health.

  3. Drainage:

    • Explanation: Implementing effective drainage systems and canals prevents waterlogging.
    • Expert Insight: Planning and designing drainage systems require a comprehensive understanding of local topography.

  4. Preventing Intensive Irrigation:

    • Explanation: Avoiding excessive irrigation in susceptible areas helps prevent waterlogging.
    • Expert Insight: Promoting water-efficient irrigation practices is essential for sustainable agriculture.

  5. Bio-Drainage:

    • Explanation: Planting species that absorb excess water naturally can combat waterlogging.
    • Expert Insight: Integrating ecological solutions into water management strategies is crucial for sustainable outcomes.

In conclusion, addressing waterlogging requires a multidimensional approach that combines scientific knowledge, innovative technologies, and sustainable land management practices. The impacts of waterlogging on agriculture, soil health, and public well-being underscore the urgency of implementing effective solutions for a resilient and sustainable future.

Waterlogging - Causes, Effects, and Solutions (2024)

FAQs

What are the side effects of waterlogging? ›

Waterlogging lowers oxygen levels in the root zone, which reduces plant growth. Waterlogging increases the reduction potential of the soil and changes the chemical equilibrium of many elements which then enter the soil-water solution in their ionic forms.

Find Out More ›
What can we do to reduce waterlogging? ›

Reduce Soil Waterlogging With These Handy Tips
  1. Water drains more easily in soils rich in organic matter. ...
  2. Avoid planting in low-lying areas where drainage is a problem. ...
  3. Raising beds above the surrounding soil level can help keep roots from getting too wet.
Dec 11, 2020

Read More ›
How does waterlogging affect the environment? ›

Firstly, waterlogging leads to reduced oxygen availability in the root zone, resulting in hypoxic conditions for the plant roots30. This oxygen deficiency can negatively affect root respiration and nutrient uptake, ultimately leading to stunted plant growth31 and reduced crop yield.

See More ›
What soil causes waterlogging? ›

Clay is poorly drained and aerated, and holds high levels of water, which can be detrimental to many plants. Waterlogged soils exclude oxygen from the roots thus causing decline of the plants. What happens is the roots die off leaving the plant unable to uptake the needed moisture and nutrients for proper plant growth.

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What does heavy waterlogging mean? ›

so filled or flooded with water as to be heavy or unmanageable, as a ship. excessively saturated with or as if with water: waterlogged ground; waterlogged with fatigue.

Show Me More ›
What are the advantages of waterlogging? ›

Answer. Improved drainage increases the depth of aerated soil, allowing plant roots to explore a greater soil volume. This increases the pool of nutrients available, and with a greater volume of soil to draw on for water, plants are able to continue growing for longer during dry summer periods.

Continue Reading ›
What are the disadvantages of waterlogging soil? ›

Waterlogged soils are deficient in oxygen because the oxygen between soil particles is replaced by water. Oxygen is essential for healthy root growth, and insufficient oxygen in soils over time causes cell, root and eventually plant death.

Find Out More ›
What are main causes of soil erosion? ›

What causes erosion? Soil erosion occurs primarily when dirt is left exposed to strong winds, hard rains, and flowing water. In some cases, human activities, especially farming and land clearing, leave soil vulnerable to erosion.

Show Me More ›
What is prone to waterlogging? ›

Areas that receive heavy rainfall for prolonged duration can get waterlogged temporarily or permanently (Figure 2-a). d) Soil Type. Heavy clay soils such as black cotton soils are prone to water logging, as they hold moisture for long periods. Also, soils prone to surface sealing cause temporary water logging.

Get More Info ›
How does a plant avoid being waterlogged? ›

The capacity for plant roots to avoid and/or sustain critical hypoxia damage is essential for plants to survive waterlogging. Plants use spatiotemporal ethylene and O2 dynamics as instrumental flooding signals to modulate potential adaptive root growth and hypoxia stress acclimation responses.

Tell Me More ›

What are the solutions to soil salinization? ›

There are several techniques to tackle salinization and improve agricultural productivity:
  1. Increase drainage for better flushing (to remove salts from the ground surface).
  2. Plant salt-tolerant crops to manage economic risks and to ensure land cover.
  3. Remove salt crystals from the surface mechanically.
Feb 21, 2021

Learn More Now ›
How long can trees live in standing water? ›

Trees And Flooding

Some species can survive standing in several feet of water for months, but if their foliage is completely covered they can die in as quickly as one month. In fact, very few species can tolerate more than one month of complete submersion.

Learn More Now ›
Is logging a cause of water pollution? ›

Harvesting trees in the area beside a stream can affect water quality by reducing the streambank shading that regulates water temperature and by removing vegetation that stabilizes the streambanks. These changes can harm aquatic life by limiting sources of food, shade, and shelter.

Get More Info ›
How does waterlogging affect pH? ›

While waterlogging increased soil pH in the first 3–4 weeks, increasing salinity level decreased soil pH during the entire waterlogging period.

Find Out More ›
What does it mean when someone is waterlogged? ›

(ˈwɔtərˌlɔgd ) adjective. 1. soaked or filled with water so as to be almost awash, and heavy and sluggish in movement.

Find Out More ›
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