Ronny Berndtsson
Professor, Dep Director, MECW Dep Scientific Coordinator
Spatial variability of soil water content and salinity in a semi-arid agricultural field
rumslig variabilitet av markvattenhalt och salinitet i ett semiaritt fält
Author
Summary, in English
One technique for collecting rainwater and prevent soil erosion applied on large areas in Tunisia involves the
use of soil ridges (1–1.5 m high). These contour ridges are constructed parallel to topographical isolines. The
effects of the contour ridges on the soil water content (θ) distribution, bulk soil salinity σa, and soil water salin-
ity (σw) were investigated in the catchment of El-Gouazine in central Tunisia. In total 258 measuring points
were obtained in an 80 m x 120 m area. Spatial maps of σw, σa, and θ displayed essentially a random variation
and no apparent pattern within the sampling area. A geostatistical analysis, however, displayed spatial correla-
tion for all variables. A variational analysis displayed small measurement errors as compared to small-scale vari-
ation in the soil. A potential risk with soil ridges could be salt accumulation just upstream the ridges, however,
no such effect could be observed in the studied area.
use of soil ridges (1–1.5 m high). These contour ridges are constructed parallel to topographical isolines. The
effects of the contour ridges on the soil water content (θ) distribution, bulk soil salinity σa, and soil water salin-
ity (σw) were investigated in the catchment of El-Gouazine in central Tunisia. In total 258 measuring points
were obtained in an 80 m x 120 m area. Spatial maps of σw, σa, and θ displayed essentially a random variation
and no apparent pattern within the sampling area. A geostatistical analysis, however, displayed spatial correla-
tion for all variables. A variational analysis displayed small measurement errors as compared to small-scale vari-
ation in the soil. A potential risk with soil ridges could be salt accumulation just upstream the ridges, however,
no such effect could be observed in the studied area.
Department/s
- Division of Water Resources Engineering
- Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES)
- MECW: The Middle East in the Contemporary World
Publishing year
2014
Language
English
Pages
151-157
Publication/Series
Vatten: tidskrift för vattenvård /Journal of Water Management and research
Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Föreningen Vatten
Topic
- Soil Science
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0042-2886