Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Drylands are the largest terrestrial biome on the planet, and the critically important systems that produce approximately 40% of global net primary productivity to support nearly 2.5 billion of global population. Climate change, increasing populations and resulting anthropogenic effects are all expected to impact dryland regions over the coming decades. Considering that approximately 90% of the more than 2 billion people living in drylands are geographically located within developing countries, improved understanding of these systems is an international imperative. Although considerable progress has been made in recent years in understanding climate change impacts on hydrological cycles, there are still a large number of knowledge gaps in the field of dryland ecohydrology. These knowledge gaps largely hinder our capability to better understand and predict how climate change will affect the hydrological cycles and consequently the soil-vegetation interactions in drylands. The present study used recent technical advances in remote sensing and stable isotopes, and filled some important knowledge gaps in the understanding of the dryland systems. My study presents a novel application of the combined use of customized chambers and a laser-based isotope analyzer to directly quantify isotopic signatures of transpiration (T), evaporation (E) and evapotranspiration (ET) in situ and examine ET partitioning over a field of forage sorghum under extreme environmental conditions. We have developed a useful framework of using satellite data and trend analysis to facilitate the understanding of temporal and spatial rainfall variations in the areas of Africa where the in situ observations are scarce. By using a meta-analysis approach, we have also illustrated that higher concentrations of atmospheric CO2 induce plant water saving and the consequent available soil water increases are a likely driver of the observed greening phenomena. We have further demonstrated that Leuning’s modified Ball-Berry model and RuBP limited optimization model can generally provide a good estimate of stomatal conductance response to CO2 enrichment under different environmental conditions. All these findings provide important insights into dryland water-soil-vegetation interactions.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Non-rainfall waters such as fog and dew are considered as important source of water in drylands, and the knowledge of possible sources of its formation is very important to make future predictions. Prior studies have suggested the presence of radiation fog in drylands; however, its formation mechanism still remains unclear. There have been earlier studies on the effects of fog on soil moisture dynamics and groundwater recharge. On the contrary, no research has yet been conducted to understand the contribution of soil moisture and groundwater to fog formation. This study, therefore, for the first time intends to examine such possibility in a fog-dominated dryland ecosystem, the Namib Desert. The study was conducted at three sites representing two different land forms (sand dunes and gravel plains) in the Namib Desert. This thesis is divided into two parts: the first part examines evidences of fog formation through water vapor movement using field observations, and the second part simulates water vapor transport using HYDRUS-1D model. In the first part of the study, soil moisture, soil temperature and air temperature data were analyzed, and the relationships between these variables were taken as one of the key indicators for the linkage between soil water and fog formation. The analysis showed that increase in soil moisture generally corresponds to similar increase in air or soil temperature near the soil surface, which implied that variation in soil moisture might be the result of water vapor movement (evaporated soil moisture or groundwater) from lower depths to the soil surface. In the second part of the study, surface fluxes of water vapor were simulated using the HYDRUS-1D model to explore whether the available surface flux was sufficient to support fog formation. The actual surface flux and cumulative evaporation obtained from the model showed positive surface fluxes of water vapor. Based on the field observations and the HYDRUS-1D model results, it can be concluded that water vapor from soil layers and groundwater is transported through the vadose zone to the surface and this water vapor likely contributes to the formation of non-rainfall waters in fog-dominated drylands, like the Namib Desert.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第22163号 / 農博第2377号 / 新制||農||1074(附属図書館) / 学位論文||R2||N5243(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科地域環境科学専攻 / (主査)教授 舟川 晋也, 教授 縄田 栄治, 准教授 真常 仁志 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第20920号 / 理博第4372号 / 新制||理||1627(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科地球惑星科学専攻 / (主査)教授 松浦 純生, 教授 林 愛明, 准教授 松四 雄騎 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

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The report Genomlysning branschstandard för fuktsäker byggprocess (translated as “Reviewof the industry standard for moisture-proof construction process”) is produced by a group ofpeople who represent different actors within the construction sector. These actors are wellacquainted with the industry standard ByggaF (an abbreviation of “building moisture-proof”),which is a method for moisture safe design. The report states that the moisture safety design isthe part in the industry standard ByggaF that works the worst.The report mentions that there are many indications that the moisture safety design will beelevated from general advice to regulation (requirement) in the upcoming BBR (Boverket’sbuilding regulations). The purpose and goal of this paper is to examine how this elevationwould affect the actors, i.e. the designers, and their work.The paper comprises two parts. The first is a literature study that aims to give the reader ageneral theoretical understanding of current regulations, the moisture problem and theconstruction process and more specifically describe moisture safety design, the industrystandard ByggaF, the system documentation phase (systemhandlingsskedet) and the newbuilding regulations. The second part is a survey consisting of a questionnaire of 20 questionssent to architects and constructors. The questionnaire consists of four parts: Professionalbackground, Moisture knowledge, Moisture safety design and Viewpoints. The first three partsaim to obtain general information about the professional background of the participatingactors, what moisture knowledge they consider themselves to possess and how they work withmoisture safety design. In the last part, the actors give their views on the change from generaladvice to regulation.The result of the last part of the questionnaire, viewpoints, was mainly used in combinationwith the literature study to answer the questions asked in this paper. To summarise, themajority of the actors are positive about the elevation. It will force affected parties and actorsto take the moisture problem seriously. Actors will be able to justify their moisture-proofdesigns more easily as a result. This will lead to increased competence among the actors, butalso demands of greater knowledge from them. As a regulation, the moisture safety design willclarify and simplify the daily work as there is no room for misinterpretation and neglect. As aresult, moisture safety design will become more efficient.

Urbanized areas with increased amounts of impervious surfaces alter hydrologic systems by increasing stormwater runoff, decreasing infiltration, and reducing vegetation cover and evapotranspiration. Modeling hydrologic systems here is especially difficult due to the increased impervious land cover, which makes predicting processes such as urban streamflow and flooding challenging. By understanding the drivers of hydraulic processes, such as soil characteristics, bedrock depth, and land use, the quality and accuracy of models can be improved. The goal of this study was to use soil moisture loggers and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) along the Pennypack Creek (Philadelphia, PA) to evaluate soil infiltration and bedrock depth in urban areas to ultimately access their impact on critical zone modeling. ERT was also used to validate or dispute recent seismic interpretations. Four study sites adjacent to Pennypack Creek were selected based on variations in underlying geology: Triassic basin sedimentary rock (Lukens), Paleozoic mafic gneiss (Meadow), Piedmont mica schist (Pine Road), and coastal plain weathered down to mica schist (Rhawn Street). Soil moisture sensors were installed at each site to a depth of up to 50 cm. ERT surveys were conducted at Pine Road and Rhawn Street sites. High infiltration variation at Pine Road and Meadow indicated macropores, which create preferential flow paths whereas low infiltration variation at Rhawn Street and Lukens indicated compaction associated with their land use (public parks). Comparing field capacity data to USDA soil type maps indicated the soil type was not a good predictor and in situ sampling was needed to estimate soil properties. ERT demonstrated bedrock was not shallow at the streambed as predicted by the seismic inversion and showed the need to corroborate depth to bedrock from seismic surveys beneath streams with resistivity inversions. Structure beneath the streambed was particularly noisy for the seismic surveys due to the flow of stream water. This study demonstrates that an accurate critical zone model, especially at urban sites, must rely on in situ investigation of hydrologic parameters based on land use, rather than assumptions of parameter values based on the underlying geology or soil type. / Geology

In this dissertation, methods utilizing matched illumination theory to optimally design waveforms for enhanced target detection and identification in the context of through-the-wall radar (TWR) are explored. The accuracy of assumptions made in the waveform design process is evaluated through simulation. Additionally, the moisture profile of an adobe wall is investigated, and it is shown that the moisture profile of the wall will introduce significant variations in the matched illumination waveforms and subsequently, affect the resulting ability of the radar system to correctly identify and detect a target behind the wall. Experimental measurements of adobe wall moisture and corresponding dielectric properties confirms the need for accurate moisture profile information when designing radar waveforms which enhance signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) through use of matched illumination waveforms on the wall/target scenario. Furthermore, an evaluation of the ability to produce an optimal, matched illumination waveform for transmission using simple, common radar systems is undertaken and radar performance is evaluated.

By using the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) “polynomial” method for corn in the Mississippi Irrigation Scheduling Tool (MIST), the total number of irrigations required during the growing season can be reduced depending on the variety, growing degree days required to reach maturity, and the length of the growing season. Results showed that even though the SCS method called for irrigations earlier in the season, the method did not trigger irrigation events after the crop reached physiological maturity. In addition, although changing the timing of model initiation (planting vs emergence) was not important on the total crop water use, it may have other benefits. Lastly, Watermark 200SS sensors generally did not trigger similar irrigation events, especially around the mid-season, but shallower sensors somewhat matched and showed similar trends with the MIST modeled results and irrigation records. Therefore, using MIST with sensors may be beneficial when making precise irrigation scheduling decisions.