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Spatial Variation of “Non-Rainfall” Water Input and the Effect of Mechanical Soil Crusts on Input and Evaporation

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Abstract

“Non-rainfall” water is important to the soil water balance and ecology of arid ecosystems. A component of this “non-rainfall” water in the Namib Desert, fog, exhibits spatial variation implying variability in composition and significance of each vector (dew, fog, vapour adsorption) to ecology at different locations. The composition of “non -rainfall” water input directly into soil was investigated at two sites in the Central Namib Desert, Kleinberg and Gobabeb. Results showed spatial variation in composition between the sites, although vapour adsorption dominated input at both sites. Fog contributed more to total “non rainfall” atmospheric water closer to the coast (Kleinberg) compared to further inland (Gobabeb) but was lower than expected at both sites. Absolute values of fog input at both sites showed the opposite trend, Kleinberg 0.38 mm per night compared to Gobabeb 8.7 mm per night. This difference was attributed to the development of a mechanical crust on the soil surface at Kleinberg, which resulted in a significant reduction of vapour adsorption compared to Gobabeb. The crust also led to a significant reduction in evaporation from the sample at Kleinberg compared to the one at Gobabeb. Ecological differences between the two sites can be attributed to the development of the soil crust on the sample at Kleinberg and not on the sample at Gobabeb.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. The authors would like to thank the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism for access to the Namib Naukluft Park, Gobabeb Research Centre for hosting me and access to their research sites, M. Matengu, T.S. Kapalanga, A. Henneberger and H. Mbura for assistance with the field work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Conservation Ecology, Stellenbosch University, P. Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa

    K. F. Kaseke & K. Esler

  2. Department of Soil Science, Stellenbosch University, P. Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa

    A. J. Mills

  3. Gobabeb Research Centre, P. O. Box 953, Walvis Bay, Namibia

    K. F. Kaseke

  4. EnviroMend, P. O. Box 3918, Walvis Bay, Namibia

    J. Henschel

  5. Desert Research Foundation of Namibia, 7 Rossini Street, Windhoek, Namibia

    M. K. Seely

  6. Climate Systems Analysis Group, University of Cape Town, P. Bag X1, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa

    R. Brown

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  1. K. F. Kaseke
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  2. A. J. Mills
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  3. K. Esler
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  4. J. Henschel
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  5. M. K. Seely
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  6. R. Brown
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Correspondence to K. F. Kaseke.

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Kaseke, K.F., Mills, A.J., Esler, K. et al. Spatial Variation of “Non-Rainfall” Water Input and the Effect of Mechanical Soil Crusts on Input and Evaporation. Pure Appl. Geophys. 169, 2217–2229 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-012-0469-5

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