Collaborative research: quantifying changes in near-surface soil properties from hydrologic intensification

The National Science Foundation Office of Integrative Activities awarded $207,236 to California State University, East Bay Foundation, Inc. on July 1, 2026, under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) to investigate how repeated cycles of drought and extreme rainfall alter soil properties affecting water absorption, storage, and movement.

The research combines field and laboratory experiments across agricultural, woodland, and mountain environments. Field experiments at sites in Indiana, California, and Idaho will create small plots with controlled rainfall patterns to simulate drought and extreme rainfall conditions, measuring soil properties that influence precipitation infiltration before and after simulated events under varying soil, vegetation, and snow conditions. Laboratory experiments will test how soil texture, vegetation density, soil compaction, freezing conditions, and snow cover influence soil responses to hydrologic extremes. Results will inform water and land resource management and flood forecasting.

The project runs through June 30, 2029, with performance at the Hayward, California location. The award supports graduate and undergraduate student training, development of publicly available research tutorials, and outreach activities including workshops with farmers, water managers, and the scientific community. No sub-awards are planned.

Abstract

This project investigates how repeated cycles of drought and extreme rainfall affect the ability of soils to absorb, store, and move water. Rapid shifts between very dry and very wet conditions (called hydrological intensification) are becoming more common and increase risks of flooding and drought. The research will improve understanding of how soils respond to hydrologic extremes across agricultural, woodland, and mountain environments in the united states, supporting better water and land resource management and flood forecasting. The project will train graduate and undergraduate students, develop publicly available research tutorials, and share results with farmers, water managers, and the broader scientific community through workshops and outreach activities. The project combines field and laboratory experiments to determine how hydrologic intensification alters soil properties that influence how precipitation infiltrates into the ground. Field experiments in indiana, california, and idaho will create small plots where rainfall patterns can be controlled and drought and extreme rainfall conditions simulated. Soil properties controlling infiltration will be measured before and after simulated events under varying soil, vegetation, and snow conditions. Laboratory experiments will extend the field studies by testing how soil texture, vegetation density, soil compaction, freezing conditions, and snow cover influence soil responses to hydrologic extremes. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.