Climate change effects on soil properties and functions: the case of soil water balance Deliverable 2.2a for the Project D5-2 Climate Change Impacts on Natural Capital

This report builds on findings from an internal (James Hutton Institute) workshop on linkages between climate, soil water and soil function (February 16^th, 2024, Aberdeen) and its purpose is to conduct a mapping assessment of exposure levels of selected soils to the threat of meteorological drought for the observed (1990 – 2019) and projected future period (2020 – 2049), whilst also assessing the potential impacts of meteorological drought on soil water balance. We focused on soil water because changes in precipitation and temperature patterns, both spatially and temporally, will have a direct impact on soil water balance and affect soil hydrological functioning and the associated delivery of (supporting) soil ecosystem services. Soil water balance metrics considered include water table depth, surface runoff, soil moisture content and saturation levels.