Effects of microclimate on soil moisture distribution in complex topography at the small watershed scale in the Anning River Region, Southwest China
Study region: Reshuihe watershed, located in the Anning River region of Southwest China. Study focus: This research meticulously monitors the spatiotemporal variations in soil moisture and climatic factors within the watershed. Its primary aim is to unravel the complex interplay and predominant infl...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221458182500206X |
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| author | Yafeng Lu Wenguang Chen Xiaoqing Chen Zhengyang Li |
| author_facet | Yafeng Lu Wenguang Chen Xiaoqing Chen Zhengyang Li |
| author_sort | Yafeng Lu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Study region: Reshuihe watershed, located in the Anning River region of Southwest China. Study focus: This research meticulously monitors the spatiotemporal variations in soil moisture and climatic factors within the watershed. Its primary aim is to unravel the complex interplay and predominant influences of topo-climatic factors on soil moisture distribution across varying elevational gradients, aspects, and topographic positions. New hydrological insights for the study region: The results demonstrate that soil moisture levels increase with elevation during both dry and wet seasons, albeit with nonlinear rates of change. Detailed analysis reveals that soil moisture in the study area is primarily determined by topographic position, with aspect and elevation having secondary influences. Notably, the difference between dew point temperature and soil surface temperature, along with evapotranspiration, emerged as critical factors influencing soil moisture at mid- and low elevations during the wet season. Conversely, during the dry season, evapotranspiration and wind speed were identified as the principal factors affecting soil moisture across most elevations. This investigation advances the integration of topographical factors—position, aspect, and elevation—with essential physical processes such as condensation and evapotranspiration, delineating their pivotal roles in influencing soil moisture within mountainous landscapes. Additionally, it highlights the limitations of Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) simulations in accurately capturing elevation-specific moisture variations in such terrains, pointing towards critical areas for improvement in soil moisture simulation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4e323f30faf74eee8f85231bcbe5817d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2214-5818 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-4e323f30faf74eee8f85231bcbe5817d2025-08-20T02:25:37ZengElsevierJournal of Hydrology: Regional Studies2214-58182025-06-015910238110.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102381Effects of microclimate on soil moisture distribution in complex topography at the small watershed scale in the Anning River Region, Southwest ChinaYafeng Lu0Wenguang Chen1Xiaoqing Chen2Zhengyang Li3Corresponding author.; Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaInstitute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaInstitute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaInstitute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaStudy region: Reshuihe watershed, located in the Anning River region of Southwest China. Study focus: This research meticulously monitors the spatiotemporal variations in soil moisture and climatic factors within the watershed. Its primary aim is to unravel the complex interplay and predominant influences of topo-climatic factors on soil moisture distribution across varying elevational gradients, aspects, and topographic positions. New hydrological insights for the study region: The results demonstrate that soil moisture levels increase with elevation during both dry and wet seasons, albeit with nonlinear rates of change. Detailed analysis reveals that soil moisture in the study area is primarily determined by topographic position, with aspect and elevation having secondary influences. Notably, the difference between dew point temperature and soil surface temperature, along with evapotranspiration, emerged as critical factors influencing soil moisture at mid- and low elevations during the wet season. Conversely, during the dry season, evapotranspiration and wind speed were identified as the principal factors affecting soil moisture across most elevations. This investigation advances the integration of topographical factors—position, aspect, and elevation—with essential physical processes such as condensation and evapotranspiration, delineating their pivotal roles in influencing soil moisture within mountainous landscapes. Additionally, it highlights the limitations of Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) simulations in accurately capturing elevation-specific moisture variations in such terrains, pointing towards critical areas for improvement in soil moisture simulation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221458182500206XMountainous areasSoil moistureChange ratesTopographic featuresSoil Moisture Active Passive |
| spellingShingle | Yafeng Lu Wenguang Chen Xiaoqing Chen Zhengyang Li Effects of microclimate on soil moisture distribution in complex topography at the small watershed scale in the Anning River Region, Southwest China Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies Mountainous areas Soil moisture Change rates Topographic features Soil Moisture Active Passive |
| title | Effects of microclimate on soil moisture distribution in complex topography at the small watershed scale in the Anning River Region, Southwest China |
| title_full | Effects of microclimate on soil moisture distribution in complex topography at the small watershed scale in the Anning River Region, Southwest China |
| title_fullStr | Effects of microclimate on soil moisture distribution in complex topography at the small watershed scale in the Anning River Region, Southwest China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of microclimate on soil moisture distribution in complex topography at the small watershed scale in the Anning River Region, Southwest China |
| title_short | Effects of microclimate on soil moisture distribution in complex topography at the small watershed scale in the Anning River Region, Southwest China |
| title_sort | effects of microclimate on soil moisture distribution in complex topography at the small watershed scale in the anning river region southwest china |
| topic | Mountainous areas Soil moisture Change rates Topographic features Soil Moisture Active Passive |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221458182500206X |
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