Ref ABG-132474
ADUM-66519 Thesis Subject
12/06/2025
University of Tours
Workplace: TOURS – Centre Val de Loire – France
Subject title: Spatial and temporal dynamics of infiltration capacity and soil saturation at the scale of a watershed in a plain context Impact on the modeling of runoff and erosion // Soil erosion, infiltration capacity, water satu
Scientific fields: Earth, universe, space
Keywords: soil erosion, infiltration capacity, water saturation, agricultural practices, data analysis, modeling, soil erosion, infiltration capacity, water saturation, agricultural practices, data analysis, modeling
Description of the subject
Water erosion of soils is estimated at an average of 1.5 t/ha/year in France and can exceed 10 t/ha/year in certain regions (Cerdan et al., 2010). It is the primary threat to soil degradation and has major impacts on the hydrosystem. Its aggravation under the effect of certain anthropogenic activities, combined with climate change, makes it a major threat (Borrelli et al., 2017). Limiting runoff and soil erosion is therefore a priority objective. Modeling erosion at the scale of management entities is a valuable tool for quantifying and simulating the effect of developments on this process.
The infiltration capacity of soils and its temporal dynamics are fundamental parameters for modeling surface runoff and consequently soil erosion. Runoff is observed due to an exceedance of the soil’s infiltration capacity, or due to soil saturation with water. In a hydromorphic plain context, these two runoff modalities can be observed at different times of the year. However, the spatial and temporal variability of soil infiltration capacity remains difficult to estimate (Miyata et al., 2010), and limits the performance of runoff and erosion models. This infiltration capacity depends on intrinsic soil properties (e.g., texture, organic matter). It also depends on their structure, which changes more or less during the crop year depending on its stability and cultivation practices. It is also strongly limited by soil saturation during wet periods, particularly in a hydromorphic plain context.
The objective of the proposed thesis is to quantify the impact of taking into account a detailed knowledge of the spatial and temporal variability of the infiltration capacity of soils, and their saturation state, on the modeling of runoff and erosion in the context of a hydromorphic plain.
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Soil water erosion is estimated to average 1.5 t/ha/year in France, and can exceed 10 t/ha/year in some regions (Cerdan et al., 2010). It is the main threat to soil degradation, and has a major impact on the hydrosystem. Its worsening under the effect of certain anthropogenic activities, combined with climate change, makes it a major threat (Borrelli et al., 2017). Limiting runoff and soil erosion is therefore a primary objective. Erosion modeling at the scale of management entities is a valuable tool for quantifying and simulating the effect of mitigation strategies.Soil infiltration capacity and its temporal dynamics are fundamental parameters for modeling surface runoff and, consequently, soil erosion. Runoff occurs when the infiltration capacity of the soil is exceeded, or when the soil is saturated with water. On hydromorphic plains, both types of runoff can occur at different times of the year. However, the spatial and temporal variability of soil infiltration capacity remains difficult to estimate (Miyata et al., 2010), and limits the performance of runoff and erosion models. Infiltration capacity depends on intrinsic soil properties (eg texture, organic matter). It also depends on their structure, which evolves to a greater or less extent over the course of the crop year, depending on stability and cultivation practices. It is also strongly limited by soil saturation during wet periods, particularly on hydromorphic plains.
The aim of this thesis is to quantify the impact of taking into account the spatial and temporal variability of soil infiltration capacity, and soil saturation, on runoff and erosion modeling in hydromorphic plains.
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Start of the thesis: 01/10/2025
Nature of financing
Details on financing
Financing of a local or territorial authority
Presentation of the establishment and reception laboratory
University of Tours
Establishment awarding the doctorate
University of Tours
Doctoral school
552 Energy, Materials, Earth and Universe Sciences – EMSTU
Candidate profile
We are looking for a student with a Master’s degree or engineering degree specializing in soil sciences, water sciences, agronomy, or equivalent. The candidate should have a strong motivation for field and laboratory work, and an appetite for data processing (statistics, geostatistics) and modeling. Training in water transfer modeling would be a plus. The candidate must be dynamic, enthusiastic, and self-reliant. They should have good writing and communication skills.
Application deadline: 07/08/2025
