Spatial correlation of soil moisture in small catchments and its relationship to dominant spatial hydrological processes

Abstract

The geostatistical properties of soil moisture patterns from five different sites in Australia (Tarrawarra and Point Nepean) and New Zealand (three sites from the Mahurangi River Basin - Carran's, Clayden's and Satellite Station) are analysed here. The soil moisture data were collected using time domain reflectometry and consistent methods for all sites, thereby allowing comparisons to be drawn between sites without the complication of methodological differences. The sites have contrasting climatic and soils characteristics. Soil moisture in the top 30 cm of the soil profile was measured using time domain reflectometry on 6-8 occasions at each site. The variance and correlation structure of ..