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Coupled Soil Moisture, Soil Temperature, and Snow Dynamics in Complex Terrain of a Semi-Arid Mountainous Watershed
Citation
Bryden, Sage. (2013). Coupled Soil Moisture, Soil Temperature, and Snow Dynamics in Complex Terrain of a Semi-Arid Mountainous Watershed. Theses and Dissertations Collection, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections. https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/etd/items/etd_404.html
- Title:
- Coupled Soil Moisture, Soil Temperature, and Snow Dynamics in Complex Terrain of a Semi-Arid Mountainous Watershed
- Author:
- Bryden, Sage
- Date:
- 2013
- Keywords:
- aspect effects critical zone cryosphere hydrologic seasonality rain-snow transition zone soil water Hydrologic sciences Soil sciences Water resources management
- Program:
- Natural Resources
- Abstract:
- Hydrometeorological data from opposing aspects and steep hill slopes spanning the rain-snow transition zone are lacking, but are needed to understand how climate changes may be manifested in complex terrain. To gain a better understanding of how these variables are coupled, automated sensors were installed throughout a semi-arid mountainous watershed. Results indicated measurable differences in snow cover, soil temperature, and soil moisture dynamics between opposing north- and south-facing slopes (NFS and SFS). Most notably, soil temperature differences at the same elevation on opposing hill slopes were similar in magnitude to soil temperature differences measured nearby at locations separated by 900 meters elevation. Soil water content trends revealed that the SFS reached maximum soil moisture deficit approximately one month earlier than NFS and the upper watershed region. A comparison of the results from this study was made with a conceptual model of hydrologic seasonality from a smaller semi-arid watershed and incorporated with a literature review of the effects of climate change on sagebrush ecosystems.
- Description:
- Thesis (M.S., Natural Resources)--University of Idaho, December 2013
- Major Professor:
- Timothy Link
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
Rights
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