Journal Article

FZJ-2013-02642

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Soil Moisture Assessment over an Alpine Hillslope with Significant Soil Heterogeneity

Sauer, D. ; Popp, S. ; Dittfurth, A. ; Altdorff, D.FZJ* ; Dietrich, P. ; Paasche, H.

2013
SSSA Madison, Wis.

This record in other databases:  

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.2136/vzj2013.01.0009

Abstract: We strive to assess soil water content on a well-studied slow-moving hillslope in Austria. In doing so, we employ time lapse mapping of bulk electrical conductivity using a geophysical electromagnetic induction system operated at low induction numbers. This information is complemented by the acquisition of soil samples for gravimetric water content analysis during one survey campaign. Simple visual soil sample analysis reveals that the upper material in the survey area is a spatially highly variable mixture of predominately sandy, silty, clayey and organic materials. Due to this heterogeneity, classical approaches of mapping soil moisture on the basis of stationary mapping of electrical conductivity variations are not successful. Also the time-lapse approach does not allow ruling out some of the ambiguity inherent to the linkage of bulk electrical conductivity to soil water content. However, indication is found that time-lapse measurements may have supportive capabilities to identify regions of low precipitation infiltration due to high soil saturation. Furthermore, the relationship between the mean electrical conductivity averaged over a full vegetation period and an already available ecological moisture map produced by vegetation analysis is found to resemble closely the relationship observed between gravimetric soil water content and electrical conductivity during the time of sample collection except for highly organic soils. This leads us to the assumption that the relative soil moisture distribution is temporarily stable except for those areas characterized by highly organic soils

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. Agrosphäre (IBG-3)

Research Program(s):

1. 211 - Global Earth Monitoring: Global Processes and Change (POF2-211) (POF2-211)

Appears in the scientific report 2013

---

Database coverage:
; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

---