Soil Parameters

Soil Moisture Index (SMI) | Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD) | Soil Water Content | Interval Values of Soil Water Content | Soil Type | Soil Temperatures

Soil Moisture Index (SMI)

The soil moisture index indicates the wetness of the soil. This index is computed using the permanent wilting point and the field capacity, which both depend on the geographical location (soil type). The index is 0 if the permanent wilting point is reached and 1 at field capacity. Note that the index can exceed 1 after rainfall events. The soil moisture index is available for 4 depth levels.

soil_moisture_index_<depth>:idx

Available depths: -5cm, -15cm, -50cm, -150cm

Depth IdentifierSoil Layer
-5cm0 - 7 cm
-15cm7 - 28 cm
-50cm28 - 100 cm
-150cm100 - 289 cm

Example:

Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD)

This parameter computes the difference between the actual water content of the soil and the possible water content that the soil can hold in mm. The amount of water that can be hold is called field capacity. The calculation of the SMD is mainly based on soil water information in several depths as well as other meteorological parameters. The SMD is a useful tool in order to assess prevailing soil conditions like droughts. The SMD also depends on the soil type.

soil_moisture_deficit:mm

Example:

Soil Water Content

This parameter provides the volume of water for 4 soil layers. The soil water content depends on the soil type, soil depth and the groundwater level.

volumetric_soil_water_<depth>:m3m3

Available depths: -5cm, -15cm, -50cm, -150cm

Depth IdentifierSoil Layer
-5cm0 - 7 cm
-15cm7 - 28 cm
-50cm28 - 100 cm
-150cm100 - 289 cm

Example:

Interval Values of Soil Water Content

Gives the mean, maximum or minimum volumetric soil water content at the indicated level over the indicated duration.

volumetric_soil_water_<measure>_<level>_<interval>:m3m3

Available levels (see soil levels descriptions above): -5cm, -15cm, -50cm, -150cm

Available measures: mean, min, max

Available intervals: 1h, 3h, 6h, 12h, 24h

Example:

Soil Type

This parameter provides the soil type for any location on the globe. The index takes values from 0 to 7, where each number indicates an individual soil type.

soil_type:idx
Soil TypeDescription
0Ocean/Lake
1Coarse
2Medium
3Medium Fine
4Fine
5Very Fine
6Organic
7Tropical Organic

Example:

Soil Temperatures

Soil temperatures refer to temperatures in various soil depths. In general, soil temperatures depend on the soil type and represent the middle of each layer.

t_<depth>:<unit>

Available depths: -5cm, -15cm, -50cm, -150cm
Available units: C, K, F


Example: