Wednesday, 9 November 2005
3

Mapping Soils, Ecology and Hydrology Combining Geo-Referenced Electromagnetic Sensor Data and Aerial Photographs.

David A. Robinson1, Mark Seyfried2, Vicente Urdanoz3, Hiruy Abdu1, David Chandler1, and Scott Jones1. (1) Utah State University, Dept. Plants Soils and Biometerology, Ag Sci Building #4820, Logan, UT 84322, (2) USDA-ARS, North West Watershed Research Center, Boise, ID 83712-7716, (3) Agri- Research Center of Aragon, Soils and Irrigation Department, PO Box 727, Zaragoza, 50080, Spain

The development of an integrated approach to characterizing small watersheds is crucial to understanding the complex links and feedback mechanisms within them. We present preliminary work from a small watershed study at the USDA's research watershed at Reynolds Mountain. This work combines, satellite imaging of plant species, topographic data and soil mapping using electromagnetic induction sensors. Our aim is to provide quantitative soils information, including soil depth and texture that can be linked to hydrological models to predict hydrological responses. As a first approximation soil moisture storage is linked to soil depth, and hydraulic conductivity to texture. We have used the EM-38 and Dualem to generate electrical conductivity (EC) survey maps of the catchment. Current work is looking at methods of developing the best calibration methodology to interpret the EC response.

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