Training: Training Overview

Soil Moisture:
Training Overview

NOTE: This URL is now: http://www.hwr.arizona.edu/globe/train/sm0.html

Outline

Training Notes (offline)

Science Motivation (5 min)

Soil moisture is part of our everyday life - from keeping our gardens and lawn green to being responsible for poor footing on the sports field. Worms love damp, organic rich soils. Very wet soil - mud, makes it possible to study animal tracks, bones and plants from yesterday as well as from millions of years ago. Today, scientists are interested in soil moisture for other reasons, that have to do with improving global climate models and validating satellite observations of this critical hydrologic variable.

Follow the link to have these applications illustrated.
Learn more about the Soil Moisture Science Principle Investigator.

Learning Activities (25 min)

The Data Game: Estimating to avoid mistakes
Soils and Sponges: How much water do they hold?
Digging Around: Explore variations in your site's soil moisture

Drying Options (5 min)

Description: What to do if you do not have access to a forced-air drying oven?

Protocols (25 min)

Gravimetric soil moisture: Star, Transect and depth profile
Gypsum Block depth-profile: Optional, for advanced students

Please share any corrections, comments or learning aids with the author, below.

Comments? jwash@hwr.arizona.edu
v. Jul 9, 1996