FROM DROUGHT TO FLOOD: CATCHMENT RESPONSES REVEALED USING NOVEL SOIL WATER PROBES

Abstract

New soil water probes, developed at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (MLURI), were used in catchment studies during the transition from drought to flood, revealing insights into both spatial and temporal behaviour of water in the soil profile. Measured soil water content showed that the mineral horizons became progressively wetter upwards from the base of the profile, which was confirmed by linked hydrochemical studies. After severe droughts the amounts of water required to raise soils back to field capacity may have long-term consequences on water abstraction. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.