A review of soil water monitoring and modelling across spatial scales in the watershed

Abstract

Soil water controls the basic spatial patterns and processes in earth' s surface system. As an important connection and driving force, it regulates a series of hydrological, ecological, climate and geological processes. In this review paper, we first introduced the advantages and disadvantages of different monitoring approaches (direct measurement, geophysical detection and remote sensing) for static soil water processes (soil water content and matric potential); and then introduced the research progress in measuring (runoff plot, tracer and geophysical detection) and modelling (dynamic wave, water balance and hydrodynamic models) dynamics soil water processes (soil water movement). Based on these, we proposed that the future researches should: 1) integrate the soil water monitoring techniques across spatial scales, 2) enhance the investigation in quantification and reduction of uncertainties in soil water modelling, and 3) coupling soil water processes with carbon and nitrogen transport and transformation. This review paper provides the new perspectives for researches and applications in acquiring high spatio-temporal resolution and accurate soil water data, and in revealing the processes and mechanisms and improving the modelling of soil water, carbon and nitrogen cycles.

The “groundwater benefit zone”, proposals, contributions and new scientific issues

“…We need to use the theories and methods of soil hydrology and agricultural hydrology, focus on the study of water consumption of agriculture and groundwater-soil water crop carrying capacity. On the one hand, the climate affects soil and groundwater movement and soil biological activities through physical properties such as soil temperature, texture, and bulk density [46]. On the other hand, the movement and distribution of groundwater and soil moisture affect the redox environment and microbial activities by regulating the soil oxygen content, thereby affecting the biogeochemical cycle [47].…”

Comparison of Soil Moisture Dynamics in Fixed Dune and Sandy Grassland on Korqin Sandy Land

“…As an important component of the hydrological cycle of the Earth's surface system, soil moisture regulates the most basic spatial pattern and process of the land surface system, and connects a series of hydrological, ecological, climatic, and geological processes in the basin, as well as the storage, migration, and transformation of material and energy [1][2][3]. As an important water source of ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions, soil moisture directly affects and restricts the growth, distribution, and stability of plants [4][5][6][7].…”