Abstract

The paper describes the system for measuring and logging of data on soil water content and soil temperature profile. The system was tested in a field and shows great potential for performing continuous measurements. It has several benefits including ease of manufacture, low cost, reliable performance and the ability to download the data without specialized software.

Highlights

  • Continuous and automated systems for measuring and data-logging are needed nowadays in almost every natural environmental research project

  • In the case of using portable systems for measuring soil respiration, we are limited to sensing temporal variability but in the case of using automated systems we are limited to sensing spatial variability

  • We have developed, constructed and tested a robust and cost-effective system for measuring and data logging Ts and soil water content (SWC), which is presented in this paper

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Continuous and automated systems for measuring and data-logging are needed nowadays in almost every natural environmental research project. More complicate and more expensive but less time consuming is the use of automated systems for measuring soil respiration (e.g.: LI-8100, LI-COR Biosciences Inc., Lincoln, NE). Main feature of these systems is continuous measurements of soil respiration. In the case of using portable systems for measuring soil respiration, we are limited to sensing temporal variability but in the case of using automated systems we are limited to sensing spatial variability Both limitations can be minimized with additional measurements of Ts and SWC using apropriate model to gap-fill the data [4]. We have developed, constructed and tested a robust and cost-effective system for measuring and data logging Ts and SWC, which is presented in this paper

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Unit for Measuring Soil Water Content
Unit for Measuring Temperature
Unit for Data Logging
Unit for Communication with Other Devices
Unit for Constant Power Supply with Battery Pack
Central Unit with Real-Time Clock and Running Program
System Fabrication and Housing
FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND TESTING OF THE SYSTEM
Findings
CONCLUSION
Full Text
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