A three-fold investigation of soil-water relations in the Big Thicket of East Texas was conducted. This study included an examination of the accuracy and reliability of electronic resistance soil moisture sensors in monitoring natural forested systems, a characterization of soil and soil-water attributes of three contrasting sites in the Big Thicket, and, finally, the calibration and validation of a predictive model of soil moisture stress for these three locations. Soil moisture stress as calculated by the models differentiated the xeric site, but there was little difference in stress levels between the mesic and hydric sites. The possibility of extreme weather during growing seasons was presented as an explanation of the different vegetation patterns observed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:RICE/oai:scholarship.rice.edu:1911/14055 |
| Date | January 1996 |
| Creators | Caird, Pamela Sue |
| Source Sets | Rice University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Text |
| Format | application/pdf |
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