Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Soil moisture regime'

The effect of removing soil water stress on fine root growth and the pattern of water use was studied by irrigating a small plot (20 m x 20 m) of 40 year old Sitka spruce. A control plot was established close by. Soil water content and soil matric potential were measured independently on both plots at several depths. Root growth was measured using monthly coring for the surface horizons (c. 10 cm depth) and ingrowth cores to study rooting at depth. In the absence of irrigation the 2 plots had similar water regimes. The irrigation kept matric potential > 20 kPa and water content > 20%. Areas between trees were wetter than areas close to stems and wetted up more during periods of rainfall. This is in contrast to young plantations where stemflow accounts for a much larger proportion of precipitation reaching the forest floor. At field capacity most of the water uptake was from near the surface but as the profile dries the proportion from depth increases, at the end of a dry period 50% of uptake was from the bottom half of the rooted zone. Water uptake from below the rooted zone was small. Irrigation had a significant effect on root tip density and on small root mass but not on fine and dead root masses. Root tip density stayed high through the summer with irrigation but fell on the control plot, the number of tips began to increase earlier on the control plot. This is interpreted as irrigation increasing the longevity of tips from 2-3 months (control) to 5 months. Rewetting of the soil in autumn appears to act as a cue for an increase in root growth. Irrigation had no effect on root growth at depth and there was no difference in growth at different depths on either plot.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of southern Africa is one of the world’s most unique biodiversity hotspots. However, this biodiversity continues to be threatened by habitat loss due to rapid urbanisation, agriculture and alien vegetation encroachment, and now, by future groundwater extraction and climate change. Previous work had shown that soil moisture is important in structuring wetland plant communities at fine-scale. What is not fully known, however, is how the spatial distribution of species at a local scale is related to soil hydrology and what the response in the future of species distributions will be to perturbations arising from changes in climate or subsurface moisture in the future. The current research investigated the water regime of the Restionaceae which is a key family in the Fynbos biome and the implications of possible changes in soil hydrology caused by climate change in communities within this region. The Restionaceae were particularly appropriate because they are shallow rooted perennials with the ability to tolerate a wide range of water regimes which allows them to successfully co-habit within mixed plant communities as segregated clusters along fine-scale hydrologic gradients. Vegetation survey counts for the presence of these species along with measurements of soil water table depth and moisture content data generated from eight small-scale plots (50 x 50 m) were used to investigate the possible hydrological niches and to envision the potential impacts of a substantial reduction in rainfall and an increase in temperature as projected by Global Climate Models (GCMs) on the structure of Restionaceae communities in seasonal wetlands by 2100. A comparative analysis of the effects of two extreme Representative Concentration emission Pathways (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5) on significant hydrological variables to plant water regimes was carried out. The IPCC AR5 report describes the RCP8.5 emissions scenario as the likely ‘business as usual’ scenario where emissions continue to rise through the 21st century while the RCP2.6 scenario assumes that emissions peak between 2010 and 2020 and substantially subside thereafter.

The goal of our research is to determine the effects of yellow nutsedge competition on cotton and to examine how the competitive relationship between these two species is modulated by soil moisture. In support of this goal, a competition experiment with various nutsedge densities and three irrigation regimes was conducted at the University of Arizona, Maricopa Agricultural Center. The results of this study indicate that increasing nutsedge density caused a significant linear decrease in cotton seed yield in both 1993 (p=0.03) and 1994 (p=0.002). The cotton yield reductions caused by the highest nutsedge densities, 33 and 50 tubers /m of crop row in 1993 and 1994, respectively, were 13.5 and 15.5 percent, respectively. Stem biomass, an indicator of total above ground biomass, increased significantly with increasing soil moisture. There was also a trend of increasing seed cotton yield with increasing soil moisture with the wet treatment (i.e., irrigation at 35 percent soil moisture depletion) resulting in the highest biomass and yields. In 1994 this trend was significant (p=0.0001) but in 1993 it was not (p=0.098) probably because fewer replications were used in 1993. An important goal of this research was to determine if cotton, with its deeper tap root type of root architecture, is more competitive against yellow nutsedge, which has a fibrous root system, when irrigation is less frequent. However, analysis of variance showed that there was no significant interaction between soil moisture availability and seed cotton yield reductions caused by nutsedge competition in either 1993 (p=0.44) or 1994 (p=0.62).

Site classification in the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification system is based on three differentiating properties: climatic regimes (expressed by biogeoclimatic subzones or variants), soil moisture regimes (SMRs), and soil nutrient regimes (SNRs). A SNR represents a segment of a regional soil nutrient gradient, i.e., soils which provide similar levels of plant-available nutrients over a long period. SNRs are identified in the field using a number of easily observable soil morphological properties and indicator plant species. However, we need to know to what extent soil nutrient properties support these indirect field-estimates. There have been several studies that quantitatively characterize regional soil nutrient gradients in different climatic regions, but no study has yet been done in the subalpine coastal forest (Mountain Hemlock zone). Influenced by a maritime subalpine boreal climate, high-elevation coastal soils differ from low-elevation soils by having a thicker forest floor and a higher organic matter content. In the study summarized here, relationships between soil chemical properties and field-estimated SNRs are examined and soil chemical properties and field-identified SNRs are related to the site index of Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis (Dougl. ex Loud.) Forbes) - one of the major timber crop species in the Coastal Western Hemlock and Mountain Hemlock zones.

The three major components in the site classification of the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification system are: climatic regimes, soil moisture regimes (SMRs) and soil nutrient regimes (SNRs). Both SMRs and SNRs can be identified in the field using soil characteristics and indicator plants. In the case of SMRs a quantitative classification was also developed that allow comparison of SMRs in different subzones. However, similar quantitative classification has not yet been developed for SNRs. This pamphlet summarizes and compares the results of several regional studies conducted in different biogeclimatic zones. Each of theses studies aimes to develop a quantitative SNR classification (Table 1). The comparison will examine: (1) how well the field-based classification matches quantitative classification, and (2) which direct measures distinguish best between field-identified SNRs.

Soil moisture is an important element in hydrological land-surface processes as well as land atmosphere interactions and has proven useful in numerous agronomical, climatological and meteorological studies. Since hydrological soil moisture estimates are usually point-based measurements at a specific site and time, spatial and temporal dynamics of soil moisture are difficult to capture. Soil moisture retrieval techniques in remote sensing present possibilities to overcome the abovementioned limitations by continuously providing distributed soil moisture data atdifferent scales and varying temporal resolutions. The main purpose of this study is to derive soil moisture estimates for the Stockholm region by means of two different approaches from a hydrological and a remote sensing point of view and the comparison of both methods. Soil moisture is both modelled with the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) based on digital elevation data and with the Temperature‐Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI) as a representation of land surface temperature and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) ratio. Correlations of both index distributions are investigated. Possible index dependencies onvegetation cover and underlying soil types are explored. Field measurements of soil moistureare related to the derived indices. The results indicate that according to a very low Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.023, nolinear dependency between the two indices existed. Index classification in low, medium and high value categories did not result in higher correlations. Neither index distribution is found to berelated to soil types and only the TVDI correlates alongside changes in vegetation cover distribution. In situ measured values correlate better with TVDIs, although neither index is considered to give superior results in the area due to low correlation coefficients. The decision which index to apply is dependent on available data, intent of usage and scale. The TWI surface is considered to be a more suitable soil moisture representation for analyses on smaller scaleswhereas the TVDI should prove more valuable on a larger, regional scale. The lack of correlation between the indices is attributed to the fact that they differ greatly in their underlying theories. However, the synthesis of hydrologic modelling and remote sensing is a promising field of research. The establishment of combined effective models for soil moisture determination over large areas requires more extensive in situ measurements and methods to fully assess the models’ capabilities, limitations and value for hydrological predictions.

Subsoil compaction is a major yield limiting factor for most agricultural crops. Tillage is the most efficient method to quickly treat compacted subsoil, but it is also expensive, increases erosion, and accelerates nutrient cycling. The use of real-time electrical conductivity (EC) and near-infrared (NIR) reflectance values to differentiate compacted areas from uncompacted areas was studied. This method has potential to reduce monetary and time investments inherent in traditional grid sampling and the resultant deep tillage of an entire field. EC and NIR reflectance are both very sensitive to spatial variability of soil attributes. The objective of this research was to determine whether the amount of soil moisture affects the efficacy of EC and NIR spectroscopy (at 2151.9 nm) in identifying subsoil compaction through correlation analysis, and also to determine whether a minimum level of compaction was necessary for these same methods to detect compaction in three different soil textures across a variable water gradient. Bulk density measurements were taken in late 2007 from plots traversing an induced soil moisture gradient, and low, medium, and high levels of compaction at three locations with different soil textures. A Veris Technologies (Salina, KS) Near-Infrared Spectrophotometer equipped with an Electrical Conductivity Surveyor 3150 was used to measure and geo-reference EC and NIR reflectance data over the same plots. Analysis of the data for a correlation between compaction (bulk density values) and EC, as well as compaction and NIR reflectance, produced clear results. It was found that electrical conductivity is not significantly different between compacted or uncompacted soils even when tested at all moisture extremes and in different soil textures in Utah. Also, NIR spectroscopy was unsuccessful at identifying subsoil compaction because all tested procedures to induce a spectrometer into the soil resulted in changes the physical properties of the soil.

Kyoto University (京都大学)
0048
新制・課程博士
博士(農学)
甲第22782号
農博第2425号
新制||農||1081(附属図書館)
学位論文||R2||N5302(農学部図書室)
京都大学大学院農学研究科地域環境科学専攻
(主査)教授 中村 公人, 教授 星野 敏, 教授 藤原 正幸
学位規則第4条第1項該当

This thesis aims to study evaporation, the depletion of soil moisture during the rainy season and to test the applicability of various evaporation estimation methods in the hot semi-arid conditions of the Gedaref Region of the Sudan (annual rainfall between 300mm and 700mm). Evaporation variables and some climatic factors were measured in the field in a rainfed area, 40KM east of Gedaref Town, from July 30th to December 31st 1983. The methods employed in the measurement of evaporation include a Class A pan, a Piche atmometer, and 20 weighable lysimeters for the assessment of actual and potential rates of bare soil evaporation and evapotranspiration. The four evaporation variables (Pan, Piche, PE and potential bare soil evaporation) increased in magnitude from August towards December. Monthly mean Piche evaporation, for example, increased from 9.7 mm/day in August to 13.5 mm/day in December. This increase of evaporation towards December, despite the decrease in solar radiation, is attributed to the effects of advected heat in the dry months (October to December). Established evaporation estimation methods tested for applicability (which include the Penman Formula, the Thornthwaite method and the Blaney-Criddle method) proved to be inadequate in the Gedaref Region. The original Penman (1948) equation, for example, greatly under-estimated measured PE with mean monthly deviations as high as 5.41 mm/day. New regression models were therefore developed and the Penman Formula was revised in a search for better estimation methods. The four regression models developed were found to approximate measured PE values very closely such that the highest mean monthly deviation was only 0.38 mm/day. The newly revised Penman Formula gave good results too, with the highest mean monthly deviation being 0.89 mm/day. In addition to these five estimation equations developed, the 10-day averages of the wet bulb depression in degrees Celsius (without the application of any correction factor) also closely approximated the measured PE with the highest mean monthly deviation being only 0.89 mm/day.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico
A Ãgua na bacia hidrogrÃfica està distribuÃda em diversos compartimentos importantes no que se refere à ecohidrologia. Muitos estudos em regiÃes semiÃridas apontam os reservatÃrios superficiais como principais compartimentos de Ãgua. Entretanto, a bacia hidrogrÃfica tem maior abrangÃncia que as bacias hidrÃulicas nela contida, e os recursos hÃdricos nos compartimentos distribuÃdos na bacia hidrogrÃfica (como no solo) devem ser analisados nÃo somente no que se refere aos usos ecolÃgicos, mas tambÃm como espaÃo de disponibilidade hÃdrica. Portanto, o objetivo do trabalho foi analisar, com base em medidas e modelagem, a dinÃmica da Ãgua nos solos de uma bacia semiÃrida de Caatinga preservada e seu impacto sobre a disponibilidade hÃdrica. Para isso foi medida, entre outros, a umidade do solo a cada hora, de 2003 a 2010 (2923 dias) na Bacia Experimental de Aiuaba (BEA, 12 kmÂ), totalmente preservada e com precipitaÃÃo mÃdia anual de 560 mm. O monitoramento foi realizado atravÃs de trÃs sensores TDR, um instalado em cada uma das trÃs associaÃÃes entre solo e vegetaÃÃo (SVA) identificadas na bacia. O mÃtodo de investigaÃÃo considerou seis etapas principais: i) determinaÃÃo da profundidade efetiva das raÃzes da Caatinga preservada; ii) calibraÃÃo dos sensores de umidade tipo TDR; iii) representaÃÃo espaÃo-temporal da umidade do solo em cada unidade de SVA; iv) anÃlise da disponibilidade hÃdrica do solo na zona das raÃzes; v) parametrizaÃÃo do modelo hidrolÃgico WASA-SED; e vi) parametrizaÃÃo do modelo hidrolÃgico DiCaSM. Os resultados obtidos nesta pesquisa indicam a importÃncia da abordagem da anÃlise temporal da umidade do solo e da disponibilidade hÃdrica do solo na zona das raÃzes para a manutenÃÃo do bioma Caatinga. Mais especificamente, foi observado que a profundidade efetiva do sistema radicular na BEA oscilou entre 70 e 80 cm nas regiÃes com solos profundos, porÃm, em regiÃes com solos rasos, observou-se que a profundidade efetiva das raÃzes adaptou-se Ãs restriÃÃes, ficando reduzida a menos de 40 cm. AlÃm disso, a anÃlise sazonal demonstrou que, na estaÃÃo de estio, as raÃzes tÃm comprimentos atà 11 cm menores, abrindo, portanto, poros secundÃrios que facilitarÃo a penetraÃÃo da Ãgua nas eventuais chuvas dos meses secos (junho a dezembro), assim como nas primeiras chuvas da estaÃÃo Ãmida. Nas duas SVAs cujos solos sÃo profundos e cuja vegetaÃÃo à densa, a Ãgua no solo encontra-se ânÃo-disponÃvelâ (isto Ã, abaixo do ponto de murcha permanente â WP) em quase nove meses ao ano (72% do tempo); e somente durante trÃs meses ao ano (25%) a Ãgua no solo encontra-se disponÃvel. Nos 3% restantes do ano (cerca de 10 dias) hà Ãgua gravitacional nessas SVAs. Na SVA cujo solo à raso e cuja vegetaÃÃo à esparsa, a dinÃmica da Ãgua no solo à diferente: o tempo em que hà Ãgua gravitacional, disponÃvel e nÃo disponÃvel à praticamente o mesmo (quatro meses ao ano). Isso se deve, entre outros, à baixa umidade do solo no ponto de murcha permanente do neossolo litÃlico; e à sua restrita espessura, gerando saturaÃÃo muito mais frequentemente que nos demais solos que â ao contrÃrio deste â dispÃem de drenagem profunda. A depleÃÃo da Ãgua no solo sob condiÃÃes de umidade abaixo do ponto de murcha foi outro resultado importante desta pesquisa. Nas duas associaÃÃes com solos profundos e vegetaÃÃo densa, observou-se â ao longo de todo o perÃodo investigado â decaimento contÃnuo da umidade atà que a mesma se aproximasse assintoticamente da umidade residual. AnÃlise mais detalhada demonstrou que a reduÃÃo da umidade do solo entre o WP e a umidade residual sempre obedecia ao decaimento exponencial. Na associaÃÃo com solo raso e vegetaÃÃo esparsa observou-se que a umidade nÃo caÃa para valores inferiores ao WP, mesmo sujeita ao mesmo rigor climÃtico das demais associaÃÃes. Considerando-se: (i) que em solo tÃo seco, a drenagem à improvÃvel; e (ii) que os processos associados de percolaÃÃo e evaporaÃÃo tampouco devam ser os responsÃveis pela retirada de Ãgua do solo (posto que o fenÃmeno nÃo se observa na SVA cujo solo à raso e, portanto, mais quente); levanta-se a hipÃtese que o secamento do solo nessas condiÃÃes deva ser causado por extraÃÃo de Ãgua pela vegetaÃÃo. Isso reforÃaria a tese de que a Caatinga dispÃe de adaptaÃÃo para sobreviver mesmo em condiÃÃes de estresse hÃdrico. Os modelos hidrolÃgicos WASA-SED e DiCaSM nÃo conseguiram representar adequadamente a dinÃmica temporal da Ãgua nos solos da BEA. No entanto, os modelos reproduziram satisfatoriamente as curvas de permanÃncia da umidade dos solos, permitindo representar a disponibilidade hÃdrica na zona das raÃzes para fins de planejamento. Por fim, logrou-se avaliar â quantitativa, espacial e temporalmente â a disponibilidade hÃdrica do solo. Esta à da mesma ordem de grandeza da disponibilidade de um reservatÃrio superficial Ãtimo. Em termos quantitativos, a disponibilidade no solo chega a ser quase cinco vezes superior à do reservatÃrio superficial, entretanto, a garantia associada da Ãgua superficial (90%) à bem superior à permanÃncia da Ãgua disponÃvel na BEA: apenas 28% nas Ãreas com solos profundos e 65% nas Ãreas com solos rasos.
Regarding ecohydrology, the catchment water is distributed over several important compartments. Many studies in semiarid re gions indicate the surface reservoirs as the main water compartments. However, the watershed has greater scope than the water reservoirs contained therein, and water resources in compartments distributed in the watershed (like in soil) should be analyzed not only with regard to ecological uses, but also as spaces of water availability. Therefore, the object ive of this work was to analyze, based on measurements and modeling, the water dynamics in th e soils of a semi-arid basin in preserved Caatinga, and its impact on water availability. Wit h this in mind, it was measured, among others, the soil moisture, every hour, from 2003 to 2010 (2923 days) in the Aiuaba Experimental Basin (AEB, 12 km Â), fully preserved and with average annual rainfall of 560 mm. Monitoring was carried out through three TDR se nsors, one installed in each of the three soil and vegetation associations (SVA) identified in the basin. The research method considered six main steps: i) assessment of the eff ective root depth of preserved Caatinga ii) calibration of humidity TDR sensors iii) space-time representation of soil moisture in each SVA unit iv) analysis of soil water availability in the root zone, v) parameterization of the WASA-SED hydrological model, and vi) parameterizati on of the DiCaSM hydrological model. The results of this research indicate the importance of addressing the temporal analysis of soil moisture and soil water availability in the root zone to maintain the Caatinga biome. More specifically, it was observed that the effecti ve depth of the root system on AEB ranged between 70 and 80 cm in areas with deep soils, but in areas with shallow soils, it was observed that the effective depth of the roots had adapted to the constraints, having been reduced to less than 40 cm. Furthermore, the season al analysis showed that in the dry season, the roots have lengths up to 11 cm smaller, openin g, therefore, secondary pores that facilitate the penetration of what little rain water falls in the dry months (June-December), as well as in the first rains of the wet season. In the two SVAs whose soils are deep and the vegetation is dense, the soil water is 'not available' (ie below the permanent wilting point - WP) during nearly nine months a year (72% of the time), and on ly during three months of the year (25% of the time) the soil water is available. In the re maining 3% of the year (about 10 days) there is gravitational water in these SVAs. In the SVAs whose soil is shallow and whose vegetation is sparse, the dynamics of soil water are different : the time when there is gravitational water, available and unavailable, is practically the same (four months a year). This is due to, among other things, the low soil moisture at the permanen t wilting point of the Udorthent, and to its limited thickness, generating saturation much more frequently than in others that - unlike this one - have deep drainage. The depletion of soil wat er under conditions of moisture below the wilting point was another important result of this research. In the two associations with deep soils and thick vegetation, it was observed â throu ghout the observation period â continuous fall of moisture level until it approached asymptot ically the residual moisture. More detailed analysis showed that the reduction of soil moisture between the WP and the residual moisture level always followed the exponential decay. It was observed, in the association of shallow soil and sparse vegetation, that the moisture did not fall to below the WP, even subjected to the same rigorous climate of the other associations . Considering: (i) that in such a dry soil, the drainage is unlikely, and (ii) that the associated processes of percolation and evaporation should not be responsible for the removal of soil w ater either (since the phenomenon is not observed in SVAs whose soil is shallow and therefor e warmer) , it is raised the hypothesis that the soil drying under these conditions must be caused by water extraction by vegetation. This would strengthen the argument that the Caating a has adapted to survive under water stress. The hydrological models WASA-SED and DiCaSM failed to adequately represent the temporal dynamics of soil water in the AEB. However , the models did satisfactorily reproduce the retention curves of soil moisture, al lowing the representation of the water availability in the root zone for planning purposes . Finally, we managed to evaluate - quantitatively, spatially and temporally â the soil water availability. This availability is of the same order of magnitude of the availability of an o ptimal surface reservoir. The availability in the soil, in quantitative terms, can be almost five times higher than that of the surface reservoir. However, the security associated with su rface water (90%) is much higher than the water permanence available in the AEB: just 28% in areas with deep soils and 65% in areas with shallow soils.

In this study, the sensitivity of the C-band (5.3 GHz) with a 23° incidence angle and the Ku-band (14.85 GHz) with 35°, 55°, and 75° incidence angles to surface soil moisture content from a semiarid region were evaluated. To obtain an improved soil moisture estimation, a practical technique to reduce the influence of soil roughness and vegetation in the SAR data was developed in a study area located in the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed, a representative site of shrub- and grass-dominated rangelands of the southwestern part of the United States. To correct for soil roughness effects, the C-band radar backscattering coefficients σ° from a wet season image were subtracted from a° derived from a dry season image. The assumption was that, in semiarid regions, the SAR data from the dry season was dependent only on the soil roughness effects. To correct for vegetation effects, an empirical relation between σ° and leaf area index was used, the latter derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper data. The results showed that when both soil roughness and vegetation effects were corrected for, the sensitivity of a° to soil moisture improved substantially. The sensitivity of σ° to soil moisture was also evaluated in agricultural fields with bare soil and periodic roughness components (planting row and furrow structures). Four types of SAR system configurations were analyzed: C-band with a 23° incidence angle and Ku-band with 35°, 55°, and 75° incidence angles. The test sites were located at the University of Arizona's Maricopa Agricultural Center, south of Phoenix, Arizona. The results showed that the sensitivity of σ° to soil moisture was strongly dependent upon the field conditions. The SAR signals were nearly insensitive to soil moisture for furrowed fields (furrow spacing ∼ 95 cm; amplitude ∼ 22 cm), but for fields with planting row structures (row spacing ∼ 24 cm; amplitude ∼ 2 cm), the SAR data were sensitive to soil moisture, particularly with the C-band at a 23° incidence angle and the Ku-band with a 35° incidence angle, regardless of the row direction.

Ancestral Pueblo communities of the central Mesa Verde region (CMVR) became increasingly reliant on agriculture for their subsistence needs during Basketmaker III (BMIII) through Terminal Pueblo III (TPIII) (AD 600–1300) periods. Researchers have been studying the Ancestral Pueblo people for over a century using a variety of methods to understand the relationships between climate, agriculture, population, and settlement patterns. While these methods and research have produced a well-developed cultural history of the region, studies at a smaller scale are still needed to understand the changes in farming behavior and the distribution of individual sites across the CMVR. Soil moisture is the limiting factor for crop growth in the semi-arid region of the Goodman Watershed in the CMVR. Thus, I constructed the soil moisture proxy model (SMPM) that is on a local scale and focuses on variables relevant to soil moisture – soil particle-size, soil depth, slope, and aspect. From the SMPM output, the areas of very high soil moisture are assumed to represent desirable farmland locations. I describe the relationship between very high soil moisture and site locations, then I infer the relevance of that relationship to settlement patterns and how those patterns changed over time (BMIII – TPIII). The results of the model and its application help to clarify how Ancestral Pueblo people changed as local farming communities. The results of this study indicates that farmers shifted away from use of preferred farmland during Terminal Pueblo III, which may have been caused by other cultural factors. The general outcome of this thesis is an improved understanding of human-environmental relationships on the local landscape in the CMVR.

This study evaluated the applicability of remote sensing instrumentation for site- specific management of abiotic and biotic stress on cotton grown under a center pivot. Three different irrigation regimes (100%, 75%, and 50% ETc) were imposed on a cotton field to 1) monitor canopy temperatures of cotton with infrared thermometers (IRTs) in order to pinpoint areas of biotic and abiotic stress, 2) compare aerial infrared photography to IRTs mounted on center pivots to correlate areas of biotic and abiotic stress, and 3) relate yield to canopy temperatures. Pivot-mounted IRTs and IR camera were able to differentiate water stress between the irrigation regimes, however, only the IR camera was effectively able to distinguish between biotic (cotton root rot) and abiotic (drought) stress with the assistance of groundtruthing. The 50% ETc regime had significantly higher canopy temperatures, which were reflected in significantly lower lint yields when compared to the 75% and 100% ETc regimes. Deficit irrigation up to 75% ETc had no impact on yield, indicating that water savings were possible without yield depletion.

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A observaÃÃo da superfÃcie terrestre por meio de satÃlites em Ãrbita de nosso planeta tornou-se corriqueira no mundo contemporÃneo. As inferÃncias de variÃveis ambientais diversas feitas a partir de imagens e dados fornecidos por satÃlites cada vez mais aumentam em qualidade e aplicabilidade de maneira que um nÃmero crescente de hidrologistas, meteorologistas, climatologistas e outros profissionais e leigos em geral fazem uso intensivo delas em estudos e pesquisas, em polÃticas governamentais ou na tomada de decisÃo. Uma dessas variÃveis à a umidade superficial do solo, que representa uma importante componente do ciclo hidrolÃgico terrestre, essencial em vÃrios processos naturais ambientais e cujo conhecimento à importante no gerenciamento dos recursos hÃdricos e terrestres, gerenciamento agrÃcola e na modelagem do meio ambiente e agrÃcola. As informaÃÃes derivadas de satÃlites, apesar de ainda apresentarem algumas limitaÃÃes tÃcnicas, podem facilitar bastante o monitoramento ambiental ao se tornarem, muitas vezes, mais Ãgeis e mais econÃmicas do que mediÃÃes locais in situ. Em paÃses em desenvolvimento e de limitados recursos financeiros, tais como o nosso, a informaÃÃo por satÃlites cresce em valor. No Estado do CearÃ, isso desponta ainda mais em virtude das suas dificuldades econÃmicas e sociais. Em vista disso, à proposta, neste trabalho, a aplicaÃÃo nesse estado do Nordeste de um mÃtodo de inferÃncia, por satÃlite, do estado geral da umidade superficial do solo expresso pelo Ãndice de Seca Temperatura-VegetaÃÃo (ISTV), que à indicativo do grau da umidade, estando a ela relacionado. Esse Ãndice à obtido a partir da combinaÃÃo de informaÃÃes da Temperatura da SuperfÃcie Continental (TSC) e do Ãndice de VegetaÃÃo por DiferenÃa Normalizada (IVDN), inferidos por meio de imagens no visÃvel e no infravermelho que podem ser fornecidas por satÃlites meteorolÃgicos operacionais, de Ãrbita polar, tais como os da sÃrie NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, EUA). No mÃtodo, foi escolhido, da literatura cientÃfica, um algoritmo de cÃlculo da TSC que apresenta certa facilidade de uso, sendo diretamente dependente da FraÃÃo de Cobertura de VegetaÃÃo (FCV) e que pode fornecer boas inferÃncias dessa temperatura. Nesse algoritmo, foram testadas, de forma inÃdita, algumas diferentes formulaÃÃes da FCV encontradas na literatura especializada, representando uma delas o estado da arte no assunto. Foram usadas imagens provenientes do satÃlite NOAA-17, recepcionadas na FUNCEME, e um software especÃfico, dessa FundaÃÃo, para se processar as imagens e implementar a metodologia abordada. Alguns testes foram feitos para duas regiÃes relativamente pequenas do semiÃrido cearense, com destaque para uma delas englobando a Bacia Experimental de Aiuaba (BEA), comparando-se as informaÃÃes do satÃlite NOAA-17 com dados in situ (provenientes de sondas no solo) e com dados advindos dos satÃlites ambientais Terra (dados de TSC, disponÃveis na Internet) e Aqua (dados de umidade superficial do solo). Procurou-se mostrar as diferenÃas qualitativas entre os mapeamentos obtidos, de umidade superficial do solo, e entre estes e os oferecidos pela modelagem em geral. Os resultados encontrados mostraram-se promissores para a utilizaÃÃo no territÃrio cearense do ISTV (no modelo trapezoidal) por meio de satÃlites NOAA, com o algoritmo de Kerr para o cÃlculo da TSC e com a FCV dada pelo Scaled Difference Vegetation Index (SDVI), com o fim de se estimar o estado geral da umidade superficial do solo sobre grandes Ãreas. Entretanto, recomenda-se mais validaÃÃo local posterior do mÃtodo usado, para detecÃÃo de possÃveis erros ou limitaÃÃes nÃo vislumbradas nestes primeiros testes, visando sua definitiva aplicaÃÃo operacional no Cearà e mesmo no semiÃrido do Nordeste.

This thesis provides the measurements of 222Rn exhalation rates, 210Pb deposition rates and excess 210Pb inventories for locations in and around Ranger Uranium Mine and Jabiru located within Kakadu National Park, Australia. Radon-222 is part of the natural 238U series decay chain and the only gas to be found in the series under normal conditions. Part of the natural redistribution of 222Rn in the environment is a portion exhales from the ground and disperses into the atmosphere. Here it decays via a series of short-lived progeny, that attach themselves to aerosol particles, to the long lived isotope 210Pb (T1/2 = 22.3 y). Attached and unattached 210Pb is removed from the atmosphere through wet and dry deposition and deposited on the surface of the earth, the fraction deposited on soils is gradually transported through the soil and can create a depth profile of 210Pb. Here it decays to the stable isotope 206Pb completing the 238U series. Measurements of 222Rn exhalation rates and 210Pb deposition rates were performed over complete seasonal cycles, August 2002 - July 2003 and May 2003 - May 2004 respectively. The area is categorised as wet and dry tropics and it experiences two distinct seasonal patterns, a dry season (May-October) with little or no precipitation events and a wet season (December-March) with almost daily precipitation and monsoonal troughs. November and April are regarded as transitional months. As the natural processes of 222Rn exhalation and 210Pb deposition are heavily influenced by soil moisture and precipitation respectively, seasonal variations in the exhalation and deposition rates were expected. It was observed that 222Rn exhalation rates decreased throughout the wet season when the increase in soil moisture retarded exhalation. Lead-210 deposition peaked throughout the wet season as precipitation is the major scavenging process of this isotope from the atmosphere. Radon-222 is influenced by other parameters such as 226Ra activity concentration and distribution, soil porosity and grain size. With the removal of the influence of soil moisture during the dry season it was possible to examine the effect of these other variables in a more comprehensive manner. This resulted in categorisation of geomorphic landscapes from which the 222Rn exhalation rate to 226Ra activity concentration ratios were similar during the dry season. These results can be extended to estimate dry season 222Rn exhalation rates from tropical locations from a measurement of 226Ra activity concentration. Through modelling the 210Pb budget on local and regional scales it was observed that there is a net loss of 210Pb from the region, the majority of which occurs during the dry season. This has been attributed to the fact that 210Pb attached to aerosols is transported great distance with the prevailing trade winds created by a Hadley Circulation cell predominant during the dry season (winter) months. By including the influence of factors such as water inundation and natural 210Pb redistribution in the soil wet season budgeting of 210Pb on local and regional scales gave very good results.

Current stormwater management practices (SMP) are not sufficient for maintaining predevelopment runoff volumes. Low impact development (LID) uses site scale SMP to reduce runoff. Bioretention cells, one practice within LID, are small planting beds designed to filter and infiltrate runoff using amended soil and vegetation. The bioretention cell can create a harsh soil moisture regime for plants that has not been adequately characterized. Bioretention cell construction, meteorological, and soil science data were built into the Happy Plant Model to determine how often bioretention plants were saturated and experienced water stress over a thirty year period. The model takes into account eight design factors: soil media depth and texture, gravel storage, ponding depth, drainage area, in situ soil infiltration rate, the landscape coefficient, and root zone depth. The Happy Plant model will aid future studies and landscape architecture practitioners with bioretention plant selection.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Drylands are the largest terrestrial biome on the planet, and the critically important systems that produce approximately 40% of global net primary productivity to support nearly 2.5 billion of global population. Climate change, increasing populations and resulting anthropogenic effects are all expected to impact dryland regions over the coming decades. Considering that approximately 90% of the more than 2 billion people living in drylands are geographically located within developing countries, improved understanding of these systems is an international imperative. Although considerable progress has been made in recent years in understanding climate change impacts on hydrological cycles, there are still a large number of knowledge gaps in the field of dryland ecohydrology. These knowledge gaps largely hinder our capability to better understand and predict how climate change will affect the hydrological cycles and consequently the soil-vegetation interactions in drylands. The present study used recent technical advances in remote sensing and stable isotopes, and filled some important knowledge gaps in the understanding of the dryland systems. My study presents a novel application of the combined use of customized chambers and a laser-based isotope analyzer to directly quantify isotopic signatures of transpiration (T), evaporation (E) and evapotranspiration (ET) in situ and examine ET partitioning over a field of forage sorghum under extreme environmental conditions. We have developed a useful framework of using satellite data and trend analysis to facilitate the understanding of temporal and spatial rainfall variations in the areas of Africa where the in situ observations are scarce. By using a meta-analysis approach, we have also illustrated that higher concentrations of atmospheric CO2 induce plant water saving and the consequent available soil water increases are a likely driver of the observed greening phenomena. We have further demonstrated that Leuning’s modified Ball-Berry model and RuBP limited optimization model can generally provide a good estimate of stomatal conductance response to CO2 enrichment under different environmental conditions. All these findings provide important insights into dryland water-soil-vegetation interactions.

The decline of floodplain vegetation along the Lower River Murray, South Australia, has evoked recommendations for ‘environmental flows’ to restore and maintain the health of the ecosystem. To assist managers to maximize benefits from environmental flows, this thesis considers the significance of water for germination and recruitment in key floodplain plant species. Three dominant species are considered, including two trees, river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and black box (E. largiflorens), and an understorey shrub, tangled lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta). The soil seed bank was dominated by terrestrial annual native plants. Among 1400 seedlings, a single river red gum was found, and no black box or lignum, suggesting that these species do not contribute to the persistent soil seed bank and rely instead on aerial seed banks (serotiny). Sampling of the soil seed bank was continued to determine when seed fall might coincide with appropriate soil moisture conditions. Responses of the soil seed bank to varied water regimes were compared to determine requirements for seedling survival. The results indicated that species richness, rapidity of response and survival time were all promoted by sustained soil moisture. Stands of eucalypts in various states of health (from very stressed to very healthy) were monitored to identify seasonal patterns in bud crops, flowering, fresh leaves and volumes of seed released from the aerial seed bank. Distinct seasonal phenological patterns were apparent, and suggested alternating flowering among individual trees (biennial for red gum, bi-annual for black box), producing an annual peak in summer. Peak seed rain occurred in summer (December–March) in healthy trees for both red gum and black box, with light seed rain continuing throughout the year. Seed fall from stressed trees was much reduced. Stressed trees responded after a second watering event, with much more varied and extended annual seed fall patterns. Lignum showed a spring peak in flowering and seed production. There was a prolific response of flowering and seeding to rainfall, but few seedlings survived. Vigorous vegetative growth occurred in existing plants in response to rainfall and watering but no new cloned plants were found during the study. An investigation of chromosomes as a potential tool to appraise the balance between sexual and asexual reproduction in lignum proved inconclusive, although a previous report of octoploidy in lignum was confirmed. Seeds from all three species and lignum cuttings were tested for their responses to varied watering regimes, based on combinations of simulated rain and flood conditions. The optimal soil moisture for continued growth and survival in all seeds and cuttings was 10 25%, with moisture values <10% causing wilting and death. The results also suggested that red gum and black box seeds which germinate in water under flooded conditions need to be stranded onto moist soil at the water’s edge within 10 days, for the seedling to continue to grow. It was also concluded that germination on rain-moistened soil is a key supplementary mechanism for recruitment, particularly between irregular flood events. For greatest benefit, the timing of environmental flows should complement any seasonal rainfall and irregular flooding that may occur. Extension of suitable soil moisture conditions (10-25%) for as long as possible after >5 mm rainfall, or after over-bank flows, would increase chances for survival of seedlings. December is the most likely month for maximal benefit from watering in the Lower Murray Valley, for germination and recruitment, based on regional rainfall and flooding patterns.
http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1344528
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2008

碩士
國立中興大學
土壤環境科學系
87
Under general field conditions, the status of soil moisture and temperature regimes are variable. To investigate the changes of soil moisture and temperature which may affect the behaviors of potassium in soils will be helpful to build the suitable management of potassium fertilization. The purposes of this research were to study (1) the effects of soil moisture regime and drying and/or wetting on the behaviors of potassium; (2) the effect of soil temperature regime on the behaviors of potassium; and (3) the effects of the interactions of soil moisture and temperature regimes on the behaviors of potassium in the soils.A strongly acid soil（Da-Do Shan）and an calcareous soil（Lu Kuan）were sampled, followed by addition of K (150 mg K / kg) or none, and then incubated under three experiment conditions, including (1) incubated with different moisture conditions (Da-Do Shan: 100% and 150% of -33kPa water content; Lu Kuan: 60%, 100% and 150% of -33kPa water content) under drying-wetting and wetting cycles for three weeks at 25OC; (2) incubated with three temperature conditions (15OC, 25OC, 35OC) under wetting situation for four weeks at 100% of -33kPa water content; and (3) incubated with two temperatures（25OC and 35OC）and two moistures（60% and 100% of -33kPa water content）combinations under wetting situation for three weeks. After the incubations, the solution K, exchangeable K, and nonexchangeable K were measured, then the transformation of K forms in the soils of each treatment were investigated. Under different moisture conditions, Da-Do Shan soil released more nonexchangeable K, but Lu Kuan soil fixed more K at 150% of —33kPa water content. Under the drying-wetting incubations, three air-dry processes reduced the release of nonexchangeable K of Da-Do Shan soil; but for Lu Kuan soil, there was no significant effect on K fixation. Under different temperature conditions, the release abilities of nonexchangeable K were found to be increasing with soil temperature in two tested soils. It indicated that the process of increasing soil temperature will induce the release of fixed K. The results of the combination treatments of soil moisture and soil temperature showed that the treatment of 100% of —33kPa water content with 35OC had higher contents of readily available K, and lower content of nonexchangeable K. On the other hand, the K supply capacity and K availability in the soils were increased under such conditions.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1991.
Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

碩士
國立中興大學
農藝學系
89
Effects of Soil Moisture Regimes, Rates of Nitrogen and Phosphate Fertilizers on Yield and Quality of Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus ) Fruit. Summary Hsueh-Nung Chang Field experiments were conducted form December, 1999 through 2000 to investigate the effects of soil moisture regimes (SMR), rates of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer on yield and quality of pitaya fruit. Field experiment was held at orchard in AES of National Chung Hsing University (Wufeng, Taichung). The experiment design was a split-split plot arranged in a randomized complete block with 5 replications. Whole plots were 3 levels of soil moisture regimes (0.02, 0.04,and 0.06MPa). Subplots were 2 rates of nitrogen (1.14 and 3.36 kg/plant-yr). The sub-subplot was 3 rates of phosphate (1.29, 1.73, and 2.18kg P2O5/plant-yr). Number of fruiting cladodes and flowers, and fruit yield were recorded to study the effects of treatments on vegetative growth and fruit yield of pitaya. Panel testing for sensory evaluation was held at July 13, Sep. 1 and Oct. 6, 2000 to evaluate the quality of early, mid and late period fruits. Chemical analyses of sugar contents were also conducted at NCHU to investigate the effects of treatments on fruit quality. Experimental results indicated that the lower soil moisture tension practiced by increasing irrigation frequency, resulted in higher fruit yield, number of fruiting cladodes and flowers. Fruit yields of 0.04 and 0.06 MPa plots were declined 36.2 %and 39.4％, respectively, than that of 0.02 MPa plots. Number of fruiting cladodes of 0.02 MPa plot was the highest (26.3 cladodes/plant). Raising soil moisture tension to 0.04 and 0.06MPa reduced number of fruiting cladodes by 22.2% and 37.4%, respectively. Number of flowers from 0.02 MPa plot was also the highest (27.39 flowers/plant). Increasing soil moisture tension to 0.04 and 0.06MPa reduced number of flowers by 36.9% and 41.3%, respectively. Effects of phosphate significantly affected fruit yield and number of cladodes. High phosphate rate (2.18kgP2O5/plant-yr) resulted in the highest fruit yield (12982kg/ha). Lower rates of phosphate reduced fruit yield by 8.8%(1.73 kg P2O5/plant-yr) and 9.4%(1.29 kg P2O5/plant-yr), respectively. SMR and rates of phosphate showed significant interaction on fruit yield, number of fruiting cladodes and flowers. Fruit yield, number of fruiting cladodes and flowers showed a better response to rates of phosphate application in 0.02MPa than that in 0.04 and 0.06MPa plots. The quadratic equations of response for fruit yield was Y = - 28000 + 45165 X - 12940 X2 (R2 = 21.4%, optimal input: 1.745kg P2O5/plant), number of fruiting cladodes was Y = - 9.3 + 47.9 X - 15.0 X2 (R2 = 11.2%, optimal input: 1.60kg P2O5/plant) and number of flowers was Y = - 30.5 + 68.9 X - 19.6 X2 (R2 = 7.8%, optimal input: 1.76kg P2O5/plant) to rates of phosphate under 0.02MPa irrigation starting point. Phosphate showed poor responses for growth and yield of pitaya fruits under the treatments of 0.04 and 0.06 SMR. Fruit shape, peel color, pulp appearance and overall evaluation of early fruit were all significantly promoted in 0.06MPa plot. But qualities of mid period fruit showed poor quality in 0.06 MPa plot. When bearing mid period fruit, pitaya plants need more irrigation than bearing early period fruit. Soil moisture stress obviously degraded qualities of pitaya fruit. Qualities of late period fruits were significantly enhanced under low rate of nitrogen application. Under high rate of phosphate application, qualities of early and mid period fruits were promoted. But late period fruits showed a high quality under mid rate of phosphate application. Interactions between SMR and rates of phosphate significantly affected fruit quality. High soil tension with high phosphate rate resulted in high quality of early fruit. Low soil moisture tension with high phosphate resulted in better mid and late fruit quality. Analysis of carbohydrate contents in pitaya fruits showed that excessive nitrogen reduced concentration of sucrose thus reduced sweetness score of eating quality in panel testing. Score of sweetness and sucrose content were promoted under middle rate of phosphate and low rate of nitrogen. Because pitaya is a kind of cactus crop, growers might have an incorrect impression that irrigation should be restricted to avoid root rotting. Actually, pitaya is originated from rainforests in Central America, which is warm and moist. Although pitaya is drought tolerant, irrigation can significantly increase yield and quality under well soil drainage condition. Phosphate also significantly increased yield and quality of pitaya fruit, and irrigation can promote its availability. It is suggested that keep soil moisture tension in the orchard at 0.02 MPa as starting point for irrigation, and application of 1.75kg P2O5 per plant is essential to a high fruit yield and quality of pitaya.

"July 2004."
Bibliography: leaves 120-136.
vii, 136 leaves : ill. (some col.), maps ; 30 cm.
Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library.
Investigates the effects of soil moisture dynamics on the growth and interactions between invasive annual grasses and native perennial grasses in the mid-north of South Australia. At most sites annual grass abundance was positively correlated with rainfall, soil moisture after rainfall and higher soil productivity. Perennial grass abundance was negatively correlated with annual grass abundance and soil moisture after rainfall, and was weakly positively correlated with percentage summer rainfall, elevation, radiation, gravel and slope. Overall perennial grasses responded little to the environmental variables investigated, but strongly to annual grass abundance, while for annual grasses soil moisture was the driving variable.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Discipline of Environmental Biology, 2004