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Effect of Landscape Position and Aspect on Soil Water Recharge 1
Author(s) -
Hanna A. Y.,
Harlan P. W.,
Lewis D. T.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1983.00021962007500010015x
Subject(s) - groundwater recharge , soil water , loam , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , neutron probe , spring (device) , precipitation , water content , soil science , geology , groundwater , aquifer , geography , neutron , geotechnical engineering , neutron cross section , mechanical engineering , physics , engineering , quantum mechanics , neutron temperature , meteorology
The effect of landscape position and slope aspect on soil water recharge under dryland farming was studied in southeast Nebraska. North, south, and east‐facing slopes of Wymore silty clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Aquic Argiudoll) were selected. Four positions were identified on each slope, namely, summit, shoulder, backslope, and footslope. Water content of the soil from 0 to 150 cm depth in 30 cm increments were measured weekly by neutron probe for 2 years. Daily precipitation was recorded. Soils of the north‐facing slope were 10 % less efficient in recharge of available water than soils on south‐ and east‐facing slopes during all recharge periods. Soils on footslopes were 6 to 8 % more efficient than other positions throughout the year. Water storage efficiency of the soil appeared to be higher in fall than in spring. Available water recharge was 9 % more efficient during the fall than during the winter‐spring period in all soils regardless of slope aspects and positions. High correlation coefficients (r) existed when soil available water was related to rainfall in either fall or spring recharge period.