Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Apparent Electrical Conductivity: DUALEM vs. Veris Sensors for Monitoring Soil Properties

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to compare two apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) sensors (Veris 2000 XA and DUALEM 1S) for mapping variability of soil properties in a Mediterranean shallow soil. This study also aims at studying the effect of soil cover vegetation on the ECa measurement by the two types of sensors. The study was based on two surveys carried out under two very different situations: in February of 2012, with low soil moisture content (SMC) and with high and differentiated vegetation development (non grazed pasture), and in February of 2013, with high SMC and with short and relatively homogeneous vegetation development (grazed pasture). The greater temporal stability of Veris sensor, despite the wide variation in the SMC and vegetation ground cover indicates the suitability of using this sensor for monitoring soil properties in permanent pastures. The survey carried out with the DUALEM sensor in 2012 might have been affected by the presence of a 0.20 m vegetation layer at the soil surface, masking the soil properties. These differences should be considered in the selection of ECa sensing systems for a particular application.

Combining Visible−Near‐Infrared and Pedotransfer Functions for Parameterization of Tile Drain Flow Simulations

“…1d) using iso‐cluster unsupervised classification in ArcGIS 10.4 (ESRI). The EM measurements can be used as an indicator of the variation in surface elevation because the topography affects the soil characteristics and the formation of the pedological units (e.g., soil texture and thickness of horizons); consequently, these changes are reflected in electrical conductivity (EC) measurements (Serrano et al, 2014). The optimum number of clusters (subareas) was determined using as criterion the existence of a minimum number of bulk and undisturbed soil samples that could be used to characterize each subarea.…”

Use of Soil Apparent Electrical Resistivity Contact Sensors for the Extensive Study of Archaeological Sites

“…Regarding Earth resistance contact sensors, experimental work has stressed their greater suitability for PA. It has been observed that these sensors have a greater temporal stability in the correlation of ERa values and soil properties under varying conditions of moisture and vegetal ground cover (Serrano et al ., : 10038). On the downside, bigger size and weight requires pulling them with a tractor, and therefore are limited by the size and shape of the land plots.…”

“…More recently the work by Serrano et al . () deals with the response of shallow and eroded Mediterranean soils in Portugal. Obviously the election of a specific method and equipment depends on the research objectives and characteristics of terrain.…”

Assessment of Spatial Variability of Soil Fertility Parameters Using Geospatial Techniques in Temperate Himalayas

“…Heterogeneity in soil properties with depth and across landscapes can be accounted for by several interacting factors that operate with different intensities and at different scales and acting simultaneously [3]. Estimating spatial variability of soil properties is important for evaluating environment [4] and provides the factors and processes controlling potential in agriculture production [5].…”