Characterization of the seasonal variation of soil moisture in Argentina. (14th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fernández‐Long, María Elena; Peretti, Mercedes; Carnelos, Danilo; Della‐Chiesa, Tomás; Spescha, Liliana
• Is Part Of: International journal of climatology. Volume 41(2021)Supplement 1
• Page Start: E537
• Page End: E547
• Publication Date: 2020-07-14
• Subjects: annual cycle -- seasonal patterns -- seasonality index -- soil water; Climatology -- Periodicals; Climat -- Périodiques; Climatologie -- Périodiques; 551.605
• DOI: 10.1002/joc.6705
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-8418

Abstract

Abstract: Soil moisture is an essential variable for both the agricultural production and the functioning of natural ecosystems, as well as one of the main variables regulating the climate system. Like precipitation, soil moisture has a marked annual cycle that depends mainly on the behaviour of precipitation and evapotranspiration. In this study, we developed a methodology that allows describing and characterizing the annual cycle of soil moisture in Argentina. For this purpose, we estimated soil moisture at 121 sites of Argentina by means of a simple hydrological balance (the BHOA, an acronym for its name in Spanish: "Balance Hidrológico Operativo para el Agro") and analysed its intra‐annual variability by means of different indices. This methodology allowed recognizing five different annual behaviours, with a consistent geographical pattern throughout Argentina. The characterization was based mainly on the time of occurrence of the annual maximum and minimum values of soil moisture, and secondly by the annual soil moisture content and seasonality. The northwest and part of the centre of Argentina present the minimum soil moisture values in spring and the maximum ones in autumn, while the east and south present the minimum values in summer and the maximum ones in winter. In general, sites with higher soil water content were found to have lower seasonality and vice‐versa. Abstract : We estimated soil moisture at 121 sites of Argentina and analysed its intra‐annual variability. Five different annual behaviours were recognized with a consistent geographical pattern throughout Argentina. The northwest and part of the centre of Argentina present the minimum soil moisture values in spring and the maximum ones in autumn, while the east and south present the minimum values in summer and the maximum ones in winter.