Application of satellite sensing of under canopy soil moisture – a new approach for forest managers

Authors: Barbara Hock, Dean Meason, Tim Payn, Konstantinos Andreadis and Vanessa McWilliams
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2024, Issue N.Z.J.For. 69(2) 2024, pp Pages 3-9, Aug 2024
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Forest soil moisture is not well understood for New Zealand forests. In situ mapping of forest soils, including their potential soil water availability for tree use, is expensive and difficult for these forests and typically only done at a coarse scale. The alternative for soil water availability data is the Soil Profile Available Water values, but these are static. As parts of New Zealand get hotter and drier under climate change, forest soil moisture may also be affected. Knowing where soils are already low in potential soil water availability can be useful for climate change planning.

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