Abstracts for the 5th International GAME Conf.
3-5 October 2001
Aichi Trade Center
Nagoya Japan
MAPPING OF ACTIVE-LAYER MOISTURE CONTENTS FOR THE GAME STUDY AREA, CENTRAL YAKUTIA.
Fedorov, Alexander (1), Argunov, Radomir (1), Torgovkin, Yaroslav (1), Gavriliev, Peter (1), Vasiliev, Ivan (1), Ugarov Innokentyi (1), Efremov, Peter (1)
(1) Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
One of the main objectives in landscape dynamics study is to determine spatial and temporal patterns of moisture distribution in the active layer. To this end, monitoring sites were established where regular observations of changes in the temperature and moisture regimes of soils are carried out. In addition, single measurements are made at point locations.
Mapping covers the 10 x 13 km area in the vicinity of the Spasskaya Pad station. Regular observations of changes in the moisture regime of soils have been conducted since 1996. A standard technique of moisture content determination is used. Samples are taken at 10-cm intervals. Gravimetric and volumetric moisture contents are determined for each sampling site.
The study of spatial distribution of soil moisture content and moisture storage was based on the permafrost-landscape map compiled in 1997. Based on this map and GIS-programs, maps of relief, surface deposits, vegetation, tree height, tree density, ice content of permafrost, depth of seasonal thaw and others were produced. Using these maps, as well as the established regularities in soil moisture distribution, we made maps of pre-winter moisture content of the active layer for each year. Highest moisture contents are associated with swampy meadows, dwarf birch thickets and thin birch-larch forests in the small creek valleys and inter-ridge depressions, as well as with young birch and larch-birch forests on old clearings. Pine forests and mixed herbage meadows on the slopes of river valleys are characterized by lowest moisture contents.
The spatiotemporal aspect of moisture content variation is represented in annual (1997-2000) maps of gravimetric moisture content and moisture storage for the entire area of Spasskaya Pad. Moisture storage was determined with account for the active layer thickness. The maximum amounts of moisture present in the active layer were observed in 1997 and 1999.
Submittal Information
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Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences | |
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Yakutsk-10, Permafrost Institute | |
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