Articles tagged with Soil Moisture
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A University of California, Riverside assistant professor will lead a team studying the role of soil in crop water use and response to drought. The research aims to design management strategies based on understanding soil carbon and its microbiome.
Scientists have developed an app to monitor food security using a smartphone, combining weather and soil moisture data from satellites with crowd-sourced data on population vulnerability. The tool has shown promising results in the Central African Republic, providing valuable information for organizations like Doctors without Borders.
Researchers found that native prairie gardens showed a general trend towards lower soil density, better root penetration, and greater water movement compared to adjacent lawns. However, the differences were not enough to conclude that prairie gardens are flat out better for soil than lawns.
The upgraded McMurdo TDRSS Relay System (MTRS) is transmitting terabytes of data at 200 megabits per second, enabling the production of global maps and enhancing natural hazard monitoring. The system's performance has improved data flow and will eventually support other polar-orbiting spacecraft.
Ben-Gurion University and MIT researchers developed a highly sensitive and cost-effective technology for rapid bacterial pathogen screening of air, soil, water, and agricultural produce. The new method outperformed traditional methods substantially, detecting pathogens within a day of receiving samples.
Researchers discover cultural practices that can increase sweetpotato production in semiarid regions of the Pacific Northwest. The study found that varying soil water tension irrigation treatments led to improved yields and longer vine lengths.
Researchers found that a reduced early season irrigation schedule improves water efficiency in Georgia's humid climate while maintaining pecan tree health. The study showed a 38% reduction in irrigation water use with no significant impact on pecan quality or yield.
The EU loses approximately 970 million tonnes of soil annually due to water erosion, equivalent to a one-metre-depth loss from Berlin-sized area. Soil erosion by water accounts for the greatest loss in Europe, with agricultural lands accounting for 68.3% of total losses.
A 30-year study found Northern China's soil moisture decreased by 6% since 1983, with optimal levels now below 40%. The researchers attribute this decline to increased fertilizer use and crop types with high water demands, posing a risk to agriculture and the fresh water supply.
A new study by University of Utah researchers shows that two-thirds of the remaining water after rainfall is released by plants, while more than a quarter lands on leaves and evaporates. The study also found that only 38% of water entering groundwater interacts with soil before reaching streams and groundwater.
A recent study from Michigan State University found that perennial biofuel crops use a comparable amount of water as traditional corn crops in the Midwest. This discovery has significant implications for cellulosic biofuel production and understanding the impact of climate change on water balances.
Fred Ogden's discovery answers a long-standing question about water movement in the vadose zone, crucial for agriculture, hydrology, and climate science. The new equation improves the accuracy and computing power of hundreds of important water models.
A Dartmouth-led study examines the Midwest's agricultural output and global food security in relation to climate change. The research finds that the response of soil moisture and still fewer have assessed soil moisture using a combination of model simulations and regional observations.
Researchers mapped regional droughts and land degradation using satellites, revealing improved land conditions across much of West Africa between 1982-2012. Soil moisture observations provided more accurate results than rainfall data, showing the importance of this factor in understanding vegetation dynamics.
Researchers discovered fire ants can excavate tunnels regardless of grain size, with moisture affecting only dry soils. The ants use mechanical factors and capillary forces to build stable structures.
Researchers have made significant strides in measuring preferential flow, a crucial factor in soil's physical, chemical, and biological functions. The study reveals unique water patterns depending on landform units, soil types, initial moisture, and precipitation features.
A new study found that large protected areas in the Xingu River Basin have limited the negative impacts of expanding agriculture on the region's water cycle. The research combined fieldwork, satellite data, and dynamic vegetation models to simulate the water budget, finding that deforestation has had a small effect on the area.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found that rain falls most frequently in areas with lower soil moisture, which warms air and allows water vapor to rise higher. High soil moisture, on the other hand, can lead to more evaporation and precipitation, but the relationship is complex and still not fully understood.
A new network of underground sensors in the Texas Hill Country is connected to NASA's SMAP satellite, providing vital information for determining drought and dangerous floods. The Texas Soil Observation Network will help answer questions about how much rainfall gets soaked up by the soil and how much fills reservoirs.
A University of Illinois study found that levee breaches can cause permanent loss of agricultural productivity, with some fields losing up to 30% of their capacity. Implementing a soil conservation plan and updating survey maps could help restore land use after flooding.
The new Science Across Virtual Institutes project will create a shared platform for broader research at the nation's 10 CZO locations and international counterparts. This will enable scientists to establish common experiments and measurements, providing training for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
A Boulder research team has developed a new technique to measure soil moisture, vegetation water content, and snow depth using GPS signals, which could significantly enhance the ability to monitor the water cycle. The technique, known as GPS Interferometric Reflectometry (GPS-IR), uses data from over 10,000 GPS stations worldwide to pr...
A study found that 30% of soil and 6% of water samples were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially dangerous species. The bacteria were more common near rivers and in areas with high concentrations of agricultural land and urban environments.
A new study by researchers at Rice University explains the hydrological mystery of biochar's effect on soil. Biochar makes clay soils drain faster due to its light and porous structure, increasing hydraulic conductivity, while sandy soils drain slower due to absorption and tortuous pathways for water movement.
A recent Texas A&M AgriLife Research study identified the impact of soils, land cover and water use on groundwater levels in Texas. The study found progressive decline in statewide decadal median water levels from 46 feet to 118 feet between the 1930s and 2000s.
The release of worldwide maps of soil moisture by NASA's Aquarius instrument showcases how wetness of the land changes with seasons and weather phenomena. This data is essential for understanding the climate system and has potential applications in advancing climate models, weather forecasts, drought monitoring, and water management.
Researchers developed a method to accurately measure groundwater levels using satellite data, overcoming the challenges of traditional monitoring wells. This breakthrough provides valuable data for managing water resources and will improve models for scenarios like population growth and droughts.
Researchers have discovered that plants use a complex process to sense water in soil and adjust their root architecture accordingly. This process, known as hydropatterning, allows plants to optimize water uptake and survive in environments with limited resources.
Neiker-Tecnalia's research finds climate change reduces anthocyanin content in Tempranillo grapes, leading to lower-quality wines. Climate-induced water stress also delays ripening and reduces polyphenol content.
Researchers propose a method to determine underground details without drilling, improving climate models and predicting water runoff, landslides, and plant response to climate change. The technique uses groundwater drainage to predict weathered bedrock thickness across landscapes.
Researchers found that high-frequency irrigation improved root zone soil moisture content, but low croploads reduced effects on fruit quality. Soil and water management treatments had minimal impact on cherry fruit size, but variations were closely associated with cropload.
Researchers tracked drought dynamics in the US using a new Event-based Spatial-Temporal Data Model (ESTDM), which analyzed four years of European Space Agency's soil moisture and ocean salinity data. The study aims to predict future drought events by identifying patterns of spreading drought.
NASA's Earth-observing satellites provide detailed images of flood-affected areas, enabling better mapping of flood extent and risk assessment. The agency's new missions, such as GPM and SMAP, will further enhance flood monitoring and forecasting by providing unprecedented data on precipitation rates and soil moisture.
Commercial horticulture operations are adopting wireless sensor networks to monitor and control irrigation events, leading to improved soil moisture management and enhanced crop yields. The technology has been successfully implemented at three nurseries in Georgia, showcasing its potential for widespread adoption in the industry.
Researchers found that citrus plants watered regularly in controlled environments exhibited reduced transpiration and stomatal closure when exposed to low temperatures. High soil moisture content was key to minimizing drought stress on the trees. The study's findings could impact commercial citrus growers' traditional irrigation methods.
Researchers have successfully implemented a 'natural' flood management scheme in Belford Burn, Northumberland, reducing the risk of flooding and pollution. The scheme, costing £200,000, uses soft engineering solutions to restrict water flow and increase soil infiltration.
A team of scientists used advanced mathematical modeling techniques to understand the precise role of soil structure in water uptake by crops. They found that flow properties near the surface of aggregates are a key factor determining overall flow properties in soil.
Researchers discover that desert plants use hydraulic lift to acquire nutrients in dry conditions, supporting plant productivity and seed set. The system relies on tiny amounts of water released from plant roots into dry soil at night.
A new study suggests Seattle is prone to significant landslides from earthquakes, potentially affecting hundreds of buildings and transit routes. The study's refined framework simulates ground motion and geological features to better understand the extent of potential damage.
Researchers discover sodium lignosulfonate can immobilize and remove toxic chromium compounds from contaminated soil and water. The compound reduces chromium mobility, making it less likely to leach into waterways.
The Curiosity Rover discovered a diverse range of soils and sediments on Mars, revealing small amounts of water in the dust and fine soil. The findings suggest that water may be present in the Martian environment, potentially providing a source for future astronauts.
A new study reveals that earthworms can survive for up to three weeks without water by entering a state of estivation, where they reduce their surface area exposure and seal themselves in a mucus-lined chamber. After rewetting, the earthworms were able to recover and regain their weight.
Researchers found that soil moisture sensors can help horticultural growers control plant growth, leading to improved water conservation. The study suggests that sensor-controlled irrigation systems can reduce the need for pruning and fertilizer applications, making them a promising solution for commercial growers.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that permafrost thawing can lead to a substantial release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The findings, based on 12-year measurements, show that water content in the soil is crucial for predicting the effect of permafrost thawing.
The Ecological Society of America examines ways to improve soil, water, and nutrient retention, pollinator support, and pest suppression. Sessions focus on land sharing, global-to-local connections, and resilient future interdependencies between conservation and agriculture.
Researchers compared nutrient and sediment loss from no-till, conventional tillage, and reduced-input rotation watersheds, finding that no-till reduces soil erosion but may increase dissolved phosphorus. Reduced-input rotations strike a balance between conventional tillage and no-till, but led to higher levels of soil loss.
Understory fires in Amazon rainforest cause significant damage, with climate conditions playing a crucial role in determining fire risk. The study reveals that these hidden fires burn at a much slower rate and can destroy up to 50% of the affected area's trees.
A recent study found that fertilizers with inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus increase soil organic carbon stocks, but do not enhance soil aggregate stability. Researchers tested continuous corn plots under conventional tillage and high water inputs for 50 years, revealing a mixed picture of fertilizer benefits.
Researchers from Oklahoma State University created a reliable 'calendar' of seasonal drought patterns that can help farmers avoid costly losses to drought conditions. By considering soil properties and water deficits, the study found that traditional atmospheric measurements underestimated drought probabilities.
A CU-led effort is transplanting biological soil crusts onto damaged military lands in the American West. The goal is to decrease erosion and increase water retention and soil fertility in these areas. The research team will evaluate the effectiveness of such soil inoculations and determine the optimal dosage for field test sites.
Research using satellite data found convective precipitation is more common over dry regions, suggesting a different mechanism than previously thought. The study's findings challenge existing computer models and highlight the need for further research to understand this phenomenon.
Agricultural Research Service scientist David Huggins found that standing crop residues on no-till farms increase snow cover uniformity, leading to more uniform soil water distribution and higher soil water recharge rates. This can result in increased winter wheat yield potential by up to 13 bushels per acre.
Deep cracks in soil can remain open underground even after they have visibly sealed on the surface, a new study has found. This persistence of cracks affects the flow of water and nutrients through the soil, leading to reduced crop productivity.
Research found that strip-till farming produces higher yields than no-till systems due to more efficient phosphorus and potassium use. The study also revealed that strip-till helps retain soil water, leading to better plant growth conditions.
Scientists have attributed early grape ripening in wine grapes to climate warming and soil water content declines. The study reveals that management factors also influence the shift, providing opportunities for growers to develop adaptation strategies. Human-induced climate change is a key driver of this trend.
A four-year Iowa State University study on cover crops between corn rows reveals higher yields and improved soil health. The study shows that planting living mulch, or ground cover, can maintain soil moisture, slow erosion, and sequester carbon.
Ray Arvidson's proposal aims to study crusted soils using the Curiosity rover, which can break through crusts and become mired in softer soils. The project has operational and scientific purposes, helping the rover navigate challenging terrain and investigate potentially habitable environments.
The deliberate flooding of the Mississippi River resulted in extensive agricultural damage due to strong currents and sweeping waters. The US Army Corps of Engineers' plan to breach levees was put into action after a court decision, but the initial force of the floodwater caused more damage than predicted.
The Lyman Alpha Mapping Project detects water frost and high surface porosities in lunar permanently shadowed regions, challenging previous assumptions about its loss and accumulation. This finding adds to the understanding of the Moon's water resources and supports future exploration and potential permanent base considerations.
A new study published in HortScience finds that the Ridge-Furrow-Ridge Rainwater Harvesting (RFRRH) system with mulches increases soil water content, crop yield, and reduces labor costs. The system also manages weed control without irrigation.