Soil compaction: loss of structure, not water

The standard

The preserved soil structure measures a soil by whether pores and channels stay open under load. What matters is traffic, the soil moisture at the moment of pressure, and the cover that absorbs the impact.

Criteria

• The pore space stays connected through the rooted depth
• The soil carries load without its structure collapsing
• Water infiltrates instead of standing at the surface

Distinction

Soil compaction ≠ soil water balance: compaction is a loss of structure, not a lack of water, which it only worsens. Soil compaction ≠ soil type: the soil type is given, compaction arises from management. Where the preserved soil structure is missing, rain stays at the surface.