Climate Change Impacts on Soil Moisture and Temperature in the Plain and Mountainous Regions of Gifu Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

Climate change alters air temperature, precipitation, and rainfall patterns, thereby affecting the soil environment, including soil water content and temperature. The impact of climate change on soil environment varies from region to region. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the impacts of climate change on the soil environment using meteorological and soil information specific to each region. The Gifu Prefecture, Japan, has a large area and rich topographical diversity. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of climate change on the soil environment in the plain and mountainous regions of Gifu Prefecture. The present (2011–2020) and future (2091–2100) soil temperature, water content, and snow depth were calculated using HYDRUS-1D and Agro-Meteorological Grid Square Data. The analysis predicted an increase in soil temperatures by 3°C in the future. The increase in soil temperature at the plain site was larger than that at the mountainous site. The future soil water content in the plain site increased (by 0.01×10−3 m3 m−3) and that in the mountainous site decreased (by 0.67×10−3 m3 m−3). These results may differ depending on the global circulation model selected. The mountainous site indicated heavier snowfall in winter, affecting the soil water content. The plain site was more sensitive to climate change than the mountainous site with respect to soil temperature, and the mountainous site was more sensitive to climate change with respect to soil moisture. This study revealed the impacts of climate change on two regions, in the future we will expand our analysis to cover the entire Gifu prefecture.