Articles tagged with Soil Moisture
A new study from Finland highlights the importance of post-mining land use planning to mitigate environmental impacts and retain local activities. The research shows that old mines can have far-reaching effects on landscape values, natural products, and community land use.
Researchers created an experimental model to evaluate fire and water interactions in soil, finding low- to moderate-severity wildfires result in wetter soil. High-severity burns lead to increased surface runoff, leaving drier soils after the fire.
Researchers found that conservation tillage combined with straw mulch improves soil moisture, seedling emergence rates, and marketable yield. Straw mulch proved to be the most effective option for increasing potato tuber yield, leading to a 14.9% increase in yields compared to conventional tillage.
Researchers estimate that soil can retain about 600 billion metric tons of carbon, more than twice the amount added to the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution. This pathway relies on water dissolving organic carbon and transporting it deep into the soil, where it is bound to minerals.
Ground penetrating radar can accurately estimate soil water content by analyzing the strength of early time signals. This technology allows for quick measurement across large field sites, enabling farmers to optimize water usage and test irrigation system efficiency.
Two types of flash drought have been identified in China, Type I driven by high temperatures and evapotranspiration, while Type II is initiated by rainfall deficiency. Both types have increased significantly over the past 30 years, with a two-fold greater increase for Type I.
Saturated riparian buffer strips can effectively reduce nitrate loads into nearby streams and lakes by reconnecting water flow through the soil, allowing growers to continue using tile drains. The system's cost per pound of nitrate removed is $1.33 for a 40-year lifetime, making it a simpler and cheaper alternative to other systems.
Researchers used visible/near-infrared spectroscopy to predict breakthrough curves of dissolved chemicals in intact soil columns. The new technology estimated mass transport with a high degree of accuracy and has potential for cost-effective and efficient monitoring of dissolved chemical transport.
A UM Associate Professor is awarded a $1.45 million grant to study interactions between climate, water availability and land-use decisions made by small farmers in the US and Brazil. The research aims to understand the dynamic feedbacks between production choices, regional climate and water variability.
The DFG is establishing nine new Research Units to tackle pressing issues in their respective fields. The new units will focus on topics such as precipitation estimation, the brain's energy supply, Tourette syndrome, and climate change impact on high alpine geosystems.
A new study led by University of Kansas researcher Pamela Sullivan is analyzing changes in soil structure and their influence on water quality and availability. The research aims to develop mathematical models to understand the interactions between biogeochemistry, soil structure, and environmental conditions.
Hyeok Choi, a UTA environmental engineer, has received a $199,985 grant to prove a concept for cleaning up PFAS-contaminated soil and water. He plans to use oxidation and reduction technology, as well as activated carbon-based nanomaterials, to break down the chemicals.
Researchers improved soil moisture drought forecasting over the Yellow River Basin by combining climate and land surface hydrology models, achieving higher probabilistic drought forecasting skill and reliability. The multimodel ensemble approach provides valuable information for drought adaptation in this region.
A University of Arizona study resolves controversy over rain's relationship to soil moisture, revealing morning soil moisture can impact afternoon rainfall in the region. Drier soils enhance rain on days with limited wind-borne moisture, while wetter soils increase rain when winds bring more moisture.
A new study reveals that climate change is altering soil microbial networks, affecting plant communities and ecosystem function. The research found that drought increases the abundance of a certain fast-growing grass, leading to decreased soil moisture.
Researchers found that liquid hog manure increases water infiltration depth into cracking clay soils, but not beyond 39 inches. This discovery suggests not all clay-rich soils behave the same, and knowledge gaps remain about soil water flow in vertisols, especially with organic additions.
A five-year experiment found that corn yield was highest in the plastic mulch plot, but soil organic carbon was highest in the straw mulch plots. Straw mulch increased soil's ability to store carbon, whereas plastic mulch increased microbial activity that used up organic carbon.
Researchers found that drained nitrogen-rich peatlands produce laughing gas, a major greenhouse gas. The study revealed that soil moisture, temperature, and cultivation play key roles in laughing gas emission from organic soils.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that vegetation plays a dominant role in Earth's water cycle, regulating future dryness and water resources. Plants' physiological responses to increasing CO2 levels have a major impact on evapotranspiration, long-term runoff, and soil moisture.
Research finds drained fertile peatlands and irrigated organic soils boost nitrous oxide emission significantly. Conservation of fens and swamps is crucial to reduce climate change impact.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki's BioGeoClimate Modelling Lab have developed a new model to predict soil moisture using airborne laser scanning data. The study reveals that fine-scale topography is essential for modeling water distribution, providing valuable insights into climate change impact and biodiversity assessments.
According to a new study, global soil loss has increased by 35.9 billion tonnes between 2001 and 2012, with moderate to high erosion impacting about 9.3% of Earth's land surface. Conservation agriculture can save over a billion tonnes of soil per year if implemented correctly.
A team of researchers is mapping areas at risk from liquefaction, a devastating form of seismic phenomenon caused by earthquakes. The LIQUEFACT project aims to assess community resilience to liquefaction-induced disasters, producing a framework for building vulnerability evaluation and mitigation strategies.
A recent simulation study by Texas A&M AgriLife Research team found that winter wheat is a viable cover crop option for Rolling Plains cotton production. The study showed no significant impact of winter wheat on soil moisture and yield in both irrigated and dryland systems.
Researchers at Critical Zone Observatories (CZOs) will discuss various topics related to the critical zone, a region where fresh water flows, rock turns to soil, and life flourishes. Studies include the effects of Hurricane Maria on the Luquillo, Puerto Rico, critical zone and wildfire in the critical zone.
Research by Samuel Haruna found that cover crops and perennial biofuel crops can relieve soil compaction, reducing the impact of fluctuating temperatures. These crops slow down temperature changes and retain moisture, allowing soils to better regulate temperature fluctuations.
New technologies like Scintillometer and Eddy Covariance can estimate water requirements for crops with higher accuracy. A new system called Cosmic-ray Soil Moisture Observation System also determines optimal water application amounts.
A combination of biosolids, zinc, and limestone effectively lowers cadmium levels in spinach to non-toxic levels. This innovative approach aims to protect local producers and consumers by growing safe and profitable crops.
Research shows prairie strips reduce soil and nutrient loss from steep ground, providing habitat for wildlife. Integrating prairie strips with rowcrops increases biodiversity and ecosystem services, with minimal impacts on crop production.
Researchers use NASA satellite data to predict malaria outbreaks in the Amazon Rainforest by tracking mosquito breeding grounds and human movement. The tool combines land surface modeling, vegetation maps, and deforestation data to identify areas at high risk of outbreaks.
Scientists from Brown University have created a quantitative map of water and its chemical building blocks trapped in the uppermost portion of the Moon's soil. The study found that the signature of water is present nearly everywhere on the lunar surface, with concentrations reaching up to 500-750 parts per million at higher latitudes.
New leaf sensor technology measures plant water stress and detects wilting points, allowing for precise irrigation. The system uses a smartphone app to manage details, promising significant improvements in water-use efficiency.
Hurricane Harvey's rainfall caused widespread saturation in southeastern Texas, which already showed signs of moisture levels near 20-40% before the storm made landfall. NASA's data also revealed exceptionally wet conditions in southwest Houston after Harvey's arrival, exacerbating the flooding issue.
University of Delaware researchers have developed new methods to evaluate the risk of subsurface phosphorus losses in US croplands, particularly in flat and artificially drained areas. The study uses soil data to improve existing phosphorus index models and provides a more accurate assessment of subsurface phosphorus risks.
A University of Texas at Arlington civil engineer will model large-diameter water transmission pipes' behavior in different types of soils to establish modeling standards. The research aims to improve the reliability and economics of large diameter pipelines, ensuring a long-lasting and sustainable way of building drinking water infras...
Researchers in Oklahoma compared measured soil moisture with the Keetch-Byram Drought index and found that high-quality soil moisture data consistently outperformed KBDI. Soil moisture conditions conducive to large wildfires were more narrowly defined, providing earlier warnings of extreme wildfire potential.
A team of researchers led by Cody Ross measured water flow in the vadose zone, a critical region under the soil surface. They found that in the southeastern Canadian Prairies, old water accounted for a significant portion of streams, contradicting previous research.
Researchers estimated that Los Angeles lost about 100 gallons of water per person per day to the atmosphere in 2010 due to overwatering of lawns and trees. The study found a surprising water efficiency of tree cover, with trees using significantly less water than grassy lawns.
A University of Utah study found that LA lawns account for 70% of water loss, while trees use relatively less water. Wealthy neighborhoods lose more water due to larger lot sizes and other factors.
A study by UCLA and University of Houston researchers reveals significant groundwater loss in the Central Valley during two droughts, with losses totaling 16.5 cubic kilometers and 40 cubic kilometers, respectively. The increase in groundwater loss was attributed to reduced precipitation, snowmelt, and changes in crop cultivation, high...
A new study at the University of Nevada, Reno has found a potential way to reduce triclosan's presence in the environment, which is linked to antibiotic resistance. The research discovered that a combination of metal-reducing bacteria and natural organic matter can degrade triclosan faster.
A recent study evaluates the regional applicability of seven drought indices in China, including PDSI, SPI, SPEI, and SWI. The results show that some indices perform well in certain regions, while others may not be suitable for specific areas due to empirical parameters or sensitivity to temperature anomalies.
Research by Tongchuan Li found that ants create aggregate mulches in agricultural fields, which can retain water and improve soil health. The type of ant studied, Camponotus japonicus, is widespread in China and helps increase air and organic matter in soil.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison reveals that abundant soil phosphorus in the Yahara watershed has a direct and long-lasting impact on water quality. Eliminating overabundance of phosphorus could improve lake and river quality by reducing summertime phosphorus concentrations.
A new European study has found that soil carbon loss is more sensitive to climate change compared to carbon taken up by plants. In wetter regions, soil carbon loss increased, while in drier regions it decreased, and this could lead to a positive feedback on atmospheric CO2 levels.
Researchers found a new species of worm in an orchard in Jaén, characterized by its penis-less males. The microworms feed on bacteria and are resistant to dehydration due to their second skin.
Researchers have discovered a pathway to produce nitrogen gas without microbial involvement, challenging long-held assumptions about nitrous oxide formation. This breakthrough could lead to practical applications for reducing excess nitrogen in the environment and mitigating eutrophication.
The new data from the SMAP satellite is providing significant surprises that will help in the modeling of climate, forecasting of weather, and monitoring of agriculture around the world. The topsoil's 'memory' for weather anomalies persists for a matter of days, contrary to expectations.
Groundwater exploitation causes drying in deep soil layers but wetting in upper layers, leading to unsustainable terrestrial water storage. The atmosphere responds with cooling over certain regions and increased precipitation due to evapotranspiration from groundwater irrigation.
Soil moisture can help forecast where power will go out along the East Coast during hurricanes. A study using satellite maps found a 91% accurate method for predicting power outages.
The Earth's critical zone is a vital layer that supports life and human activities. Research in this area reveals the importance of time, depth, and coupling in understanding the zone's dynamics. This knowledge helps predict and mitigate negative effects, such as soil degradation and water quality issues.
A study by the University of Georgia compared handheld and mobile data technologies for analyzing natural turfgrass sports fields. The results showed that mobile devices were more reliable for measuring penetration resistance, while handheld devices offered advantages in terms of affordability and abundance.
A team of scientists has developed an equation to measure soil physical quality, which can help determine the best use of a particular soil. The research, led by Robson Armindo, found that this approach can save time and money in crop production.
Margarita Romanets' invention uses water-based cultivation to grow strong-rooted strawberry plants immune to diseases. The method allows for a good harvest over 4-5 years and is being tested at RUDN Agrarian-Technological Institute.
Reduced nitrogen input from atmospheric depositions results in lower nitrate concentrations in reservoir waters, leading to increased dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and phosphate levels. This causes algae growth and affects water quality.
Scientists found that analyzing snowmelt and soil moisture could have predicted the 2012 US drought up to four months in advance. The study used a combination of observations and a regional model ensemble to improve seasonal drought forecasts.
A new study found that soil organic matter and water holding capacity have a significant impact on maize yield stability, offering farmers a potential tool to support novel crop varieties. Implementing practices like cover crops and composted manures can help buffer against the effects of climate instability
Research finds that low atmospheric humidity is a significant cause of plant stress in hot, dry weather, reducing their ability to offset climate change. Models should be refined to account for this effect, which will become increasingly important as the Earth's climate warms.
Researchers found that logging roads and landing areas lead to dense soil with slower water infiltration, causing erosion and affecting forest regeneration. This study highlights the need for treatment of impacted areas to prevent long-term effects on forest health.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research's WRF-Hydro model provides continuous predictions of water levels and potential flooding in rivers and streams across the contiguous United States. This enables better management of reservoirs, navigation along major rivers, and planning for droughts.