A Field‐Scale Sensor Network Data Set for Monitoring and Modeling the Spatial and Temporal Variation of Soil Water Content in a Dryland Agricultural Field. Issue 12 (21st December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gasch, C. K.; Brown, D. J.; Campbell, C. S.; Cobos, D. R.; Brooks, E. S.; Chahal, M.; Poggio, M.
• Is Part Of: Water resources research. Volume 53:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: 10878
• Page End: 10887
• Publication Date: 2017-12-21
• Subjects: agronomic monitoring -- automated sensor network -- dielectric permittivity -- soil sensing -- volumetric water content; Hydrology -- Periodicals; 333.91
• DOI: 10.1002/2017WR021307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1397

Abstract

Abstract: We describe a soil water content monitoring data set and auxiliary data collected at a 37 ha experimental no‐till farm in the Northwestern United States. Water content measurements have been compiled hourly since 2007 by ECH2O‐TE and 5TE sensors installed at 42 locations and five depths (0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, and 1.5 m, 210 sensors total) across the R.J. Cook Agronomy Farm, a Long‐Term Agro‐Ecosystem Research Site stationed on complex terrain in a Mediterranean climate. In addition to soil water content readings, the data set includes hourly and daily soil temperature readings, annual crop histories, a digital elevation model, Bt horizon maps, seasonal apparent electrical conductivity, soil texture, and soil bulk density. Meteorological records are also available for this location. We discuss the unique challenges of maintaining the network on an operating farm and demonstrate the nature and complexity of the soil water content data. This data set is accessible online through the National Agriculture Library, has been assigned a DOI, and will be maintained for the long term. Key Points: Hourly soil water content at 42 stations and five depths across 37 ha farm, in operation since 2007 Sensors distributed across complex terrain and dryland no‐till crops in a Mediterranean climate Includes soil temperature, texture, bulk density, EC, Bt horizon, crops, and terrain