Use of GPS receivers as a soil moisture network for water cycle studies

Kristine M. Larson; Eric E. Small; Ethan D. Gutmann; Andria L. Bilich; John J. Braun; Valery U. Zavorotny

doi:10.1029/2008GL036013

Use of GPS receivers as a soil moisture network for water cycle studies

Kristine M. Larson
, Eric E. Small
, Ethan D. Gutmann
, Andria L. Bilich
, John J. Braun
, Valery U. Zavorotny

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

414 Scopus citations

Abstract

Measurements of soil moisture, both its global distribution and temporal variations, are required to study the water and carbon cycles. A global network of in situ soil moisture stations is needed to supplement datasets from satellite sensors. We demonstrate that signals routinely recorded by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers for precise positioning applications can also be related to surface soil moisture variations. Over a three month interval, GPS-derived estimates from a 300 m² area closely match soil moisture fluctuations in the top 5 cm of soil measured with conventional sensors, including the rate and amount of drying following six precipitation events. Thousands of GPS receivers that exist worldwide could be used to estimate soil moisture in near real-time, with L-band signals that complement future satellite missions.

Original language	English
Article number	L24405
Journal	Geophysical Research Letters
Volume	35
Issue number	24
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL036013
State	Published - Dec 28 2008

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10.1029/2008GL036013

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title = "Use of GPS receivers as a soil moisture network for water cycle studies",

abstract = "Measurements of soil moisture, both its global distribution and temporal variations, are required to study the water and carbon cycles. A global network of in situ soil moisture stations is needed to supplement datasets from satellite sensors. We demonstrate that signals routinely recorded by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers for precise positioning applications can also be related to surface soil moisture variations. Over a three month interval, GPS-derived estimates from a 300 m2 area closely match soil moisture fluctuations in the top 5 cm of soil measured with conventional sensors, including the rate and amount of drying following six precipitation events. Thousands of GPS receivers that exist worldwide could be used to estimate soil moisture in near real-time, with L-band signals that complement future satellite missions.",

author = "Larson, \{Kristine M.\} and Small, \{Eric E.\} and Gutmann, \{Ethan D.\} and Bilich, \{Andria L.\} and Braun, \{John J.\} and Zavorotny, \{Valery U.\}",

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doi = "10.1029/2008GL036013",

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T1 - Use of GPS receivers as a soil moisture network for water cycle studies

AU - Larson, Kristine M.

AU - Small, Eric E.

AU - Gutmann, Ethan D.

AU - Bilich, Andria L.

AU - Braun, John J.

AU - Zavorotny, Valery U.

PY - 2008/12/28

Y1 - 2008/12/28

N2 - Measurements of soil moisture, both its global distribution and temporal variations, are required to study the water and carbon cycles. A global network of in situ soil moisture stations is needed to supplement datasets from satellite sensors. We demonstrate that signals routinely recorded by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers for precise positioning applications can also be related to surface soil moisture variations. Over a three month interval, GPS-derived estimates from a 300 m2 area closely match soil moisture fluctuations in the top 5 cm of soil measured with conventional sensors, including the rate and amount of drying following six precipitation events. Thousands of GPS receivers that exist worldwide could be used to estimate soil moisture in near real-time, with L-band signals that complement future satellite missions.

AB - Measurements of soil moisture, both its global distribution and temporal variations, are required to study the water and carbon cycles. A global network of in situ soil moisture stations is needed to supplement datasets from satellite sensors. We demonstrate that signals routinely recorded by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers for precise positioning applications can also be related to surface soil moisture variations. Over a three month interval, GPS-derived estimates from a 300 m2 area closely match soil moisture fluctuations in the top 5 cm of soil measured with conventional sensors, including the rate and amount of drying following six precipitation events. Thousands of GPS receivers that exist worldwide could be used to estimate soil moisture in near real-time, with L-band signals that complement future satellite missions.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/61349109457

U2 - 10.1029/2008GL036013

DO - 10.1029/2008GL036013

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:61349109457

SN - 0094-8276

VL - 35

JO - Geophysical Research Letters

JF - Geophysical Research Letters

IS - 24

M1 - L24405

ER -

Use of GPS receivers as a soil moisture network for water cycle studies

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