Installation and calibration of sensors for analysis of soil humidity and temperature in eastern amazon areas

Abstract

Soil moisture and temperature are important components to improve watershed management and natural resource planning, especially in areas where water supplies are limited during dry seasons. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the installation and calibration of five sensors (Drill & Drop) as well as the consistency of the results obtained for moisture and soil temperature in areas of forest, pasture, forest-pasture transition and pasture-urban transition in the Itacaiúnas River Hydrographic Area (BHRI) in the Eastern Amazon. The results refer to the period from April to September 2019, showing different trends between forest and pasture areas. The data consistency analysis efficiently identified measurement errors, especially in the surface layer of the soil (10 cm). The Onça Puma and IFPA Rural stations had the highest percentages of error data 22.8% and 17.6%, respectively. On the other hand, these results may be associated with the environmental characteristics of the region, as well as the physical characteristics of the soil during each season. The soil temperature and humidity parameters were consistent with data from other meteorological variables (precipitation and mean air temperature) measured by sensors installed in the local hydrometeorological stations. Overall, the soil moisture and temperature measurements were obtained properly and are presented as quality data sources. Thus, it is expected that the results will contribute to enriching the availability of soil data in the IRB and encouraging the use of direct measurements given the quantity (and quality) of data obtained using this instrumentation.