On the seasonal dynamics of mean soil moisture

F. Laio, Amilcare Michele M. Porporato, L. Ridolfi, I. Rodriguez-Iturbe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

[1] Starting from a stochastic model of the water balance at a point proposed by Rodriguez-Iturbe et al. [1999], the unsteady dynamics of mean soil moisture under varying climatic conditions is analyzed. The exact differential equations that describe the evolution of the mean soil moisture are obtained, and the simplifications that are needed to solve these equations are detailed. Within this framework we are able to study the importance of the seasonal variations in precipitation and evapotranspiration and the role of the root depth and soil characteristics, as well as the possible occurrence and relevance of steady state conditions for the soil moisture process during the growing season.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)XXV-XXVI
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres
Volume107
Issue number15
StatePublished - 2002

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Keywords

  • Seasonality
  • Soil moisture
  • Stochastic processes
  • Water balance

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