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Soil moisture and temperature regimes
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Soil moisture characteristics curve (SMCC), moisture extraction/retention curves or Soil water potential curve

  • A soil-water characteristic (SWC) curve describes the amount of water retained in a soil (expressed as mass or volume water content, θm or θv) under equilibrium at a given matric potential.
  • The graphical representation of relationship between the water content and soil water potential or functional relationship between the soil water content and soil water potential is called soil moisture characteristic curves.
  • These curves are sometimes termed as water release characteristic curve or simply water characteristic curves.
  • These curves are constructed in laboratory by preparing samples to a specified matric potential and measuring the respective water content. Thus, soil moisture characteristic curve is a graph showing the soil moisture versus applied tension / suction relationship.
  • Modeling water distribution and flow in partially saturated soils requires knowledge of the SWC, therefore plays a critical role in water management and in prediction of solute and contaminant transport in the environment. It is used to predict the soil water storage, water supply to the plants (field capacity) and soil aggregate stability.

 

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