ABSTRACT
Many factors control the rate o f infiltration: soil texture, soil structure, vegetation cover, biological activity, soil moisture content and surface conditions (e.g. pavement formation). Although knowledge of infiltration in arid areas is still limited, it is acknowledged that it is important in relation to the following:
1. Surface runoof and sedim ent production on hillslopes. In general, fine-textured soils generate surface runoff faster than coarse-textured soils and are therefore more susceptible to surface soil loss (Abrahams et al. 1988). Runoff is produced when the rate o f rainfall is greater than the infiltration capacity of the surface soil.
