Site Slope position and microtopography affect the movement of water in and out of the soil, while slope and aspect affect the amount of solar radiation received. Vegetative cover competes for moisture through uptake and transpiration and by intercepting precipitation, some of which evaporates before reaching the soil.
Soil texture is one of the more useful variables for predicting water relations.
Changes in soil texture alter soil moisture, the potential for frost heaving where frost is present and surface soil erosion and compaction. The stone or coarse fragment content of the soil affects water storage, which decreases with increasing coarse fragment content. Increasing the organic matter can improve soil structure, making drainage and air permeability easier. A thick covering layer can increase the soil's resistance to compaction. Positive effects of site preparation on soil moisture Site preparation treatments modify the soil moisture regime either by conserving available water or by removing excess water.