A NUMERICAL STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF SOIL SURFACE SHAPE UPON THE SOIL TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE REGIMES

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Abstract
We developed a numerical, two-dimensional model to study the effect of soil surface shape (ridge, furrow, flat), produced by different cultivation techniques, on the soil moisture and temperature regimes. To simplify the study of different soil surface shapes, we used a terrain-following coordinate system. Environmental conditions, soil physical characteristics, and the slope and aspect of the surface are considered. Calculated moisture and temperature profiles are compared against observed ones, and the study shows that they are significantly influenced by both slope and aspect. The results indicate that the numerical model predicts accurately the soil moisture and temperature regimes. We developed a numerical, two-dimensional model to study the effect of soil surface shape (ridge, furrow, flat), produced by different cultivation techniques, on the soil moisture and temperature regimes. To simplify the study of different soil surface shapes, we used a terrain-following coordinate system. Environmental conditions, soil physical characteristics, and the slope and aspect of the surface are considered. Calculated moisture and temperature profiles are compared against observed ones, and the study shows that they are significantly influenced by both slope and aspect. The results indicate that the numerical model predicts accurately the soil moisture and temperature regimes. © Williams & Wilkins 1985. All Rights Reserved.