Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Effects of Desert Pavements (Gravel Mulch) on Soil Micro-Hydrology

  • Published:
Pure and Applied Geophysics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effect of desert pavements (gravel mulch) on near surface soil micro-hydrology has been inadequately studied. Micro-hydrology in arid ecosystems occurs due to a daily non rainfall atmospheric water cycle, consisting of an input phase (dew, fog, vapour adsorption) and an evaporation phase. A winter comparative study between a bare soil (control) and gravel mulch using the automated microlysimeter approach was conducted in Stellenbosch, South Africa in 2008. Results showed that dew deposition and direct water vapour adsorption were significantly higher into bare soil compared to gravel mulch. In contrast, however, soil moisture from rain persists for a longer time under gravel mulch compared to bare soil. This result suggests that the greatest impact of gravel mulch on soil micro-hydrology is towards conserving moisture and could explain why the treatment is used in dry-land agriculture in Mediterranean regions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acosta Baladon, A. N., 1973. Cultivos Enaredos. In: Graf, A., Kuttler, W., Werner, J., 2008. Mulching as a means of exploiting dew for arid agriculture? Atmos. Res. 87, 369–376.

  • Acosta Baladon, A. N., 1996. Las precepitaciones ocultas y sus aplicaciones a la agricultura. In: Graf, A., Kuttler, W., Werner, J., 2008. Mulching as a means of exploiting dew for arid agriculture? Atmos. Res. 87, 369–376.

  • Agam, N., Berliner, P.R., 2004. Diurnal water content changes in the bare soil of a coastal desert. J. Hydrometeo. 5, 922–933.

  • Agam, N., Berliner, P.R., 2006. Dew formation and water vapour adsorption in semi arid environments—A review. J. Arid Environ. 65, 572–590.

  • Beysens, D., 1995. The formation of dew. Atmos. Res. 39, 215–237.

  • Brown, R., Mills, A. J., Jack, C., 2008. Non-rainfall moisture inputs in the Knersvlakte: Methodology and preliminary findings. Water SA. 34, 275–278.

  • Danalatos, N. G., Kosmas, C. S., Moustakas, N. C., Yassoglou, 1995. Rock fragments II. Their impact on soil physical properties and biomass production under Mediterranean conditions. Soil Use Mgmt. 11, 121–126.

  • Epstein, E., Grant, W. J., Struchtmeyer, R. A., 1966. Soil losses and crust formation as related to some soil physical properties. In: Webb, R. H., Wilshire, G. H., 1983. Environmental effects of off-road vehicles. Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

  • Goossens, D., 1994. Effect of rock fragments on eolian deposition of atmospheric dust. Catena, 23, 167–189

  • Graf, A., Kuttler, W., Werner, J., 2008. Mulching as a means of exploiting dew for arid agriculture? Atmos. Res. 87, 369–376.

  • Hillel, D., 1982. Negev: land, water and life in a desert environment. Praeger Publication, New York, USA.

  • Jury, W. A., Bellantuoni, B., 1976. Heat and water movement under surface in a field soil: I. Thermal effects. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 40, 505–509.

  • Kappen, L., Lange, O. L., Schulze, E.D., Evenari, M., Buschbom, V., 1979. Ecophysiological investigations on lichens of the Negev Desert: IV. Annual course of the photosynthetic production of Ramalina maciformis (Del.) Bory. Flora, 168, 85–105.

  • Kaseke, K.F., Esler, K.J., Mils, A.J., Brown, R., Henschel, J., Seely, M.K., 2010. A method for the direct assessment of the “non rainfall” atmospheric water cycle: input and evaporation from the soil. Journal of Pure and Applied Geophysics, doi: 10.1007/s00024-011-0328-9

  • Katra, I., Lavee, H., Sarah, P., 2008. The effect of rock fragment size and position on topsoil moisture on arid and semi-arid hillslopes. Catena, 72, 49–55.

  • Kemper, W. D., Nicks, A. D., Corey, A. T., 1994. Accumulation of water in soils under gravel and sand mulches. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 58, 56–63.

  • Kidron, G.J., 2000. Analysis of dew precipitation in three habitats within a small arid drainage basin, Negev Highlands, Israel. Atmos. Res. 55, 257–270.

  • Kosmas, C., Danalatos, N.G., Poesen, J., van Wesemael, B., 1998. The effect of vapour adsorption on soil moisture content under Mediterranean climatic conditions. Agri. Water Mgmt. 36, 157–168.

  • Kosmas, C., Marathianou, Gerontidis, St., Detsis, V., Tsara, M., Poesen, J. 2001. Parameters affecting water vapour adsorption by the soil under semiarid climatic conditions. Agri. Water Mgmt. 48, 61–78

  • Li, X. Y., Gong, J. D., Gao, Q. Z., Wei, X.H., 2000. Rainfall interception loss by pebble mulch in the semi arid region of China. J. Hydro. 228, 165–173.

  • Li, X. Y., 2002. Effects of gravel and sand mulches on dew deposition in the semiarid region of China. J. Hydro. 260, 151–160.

  • Louw, G.N., Seely, M.K., 1982. Ecology of Desert Organisms. Longman House, Essex, United Kingdom

  • Malek, E., McCurdy, G., Giles, G., 1999. Dew contribution to the annual water balances in semi-arid desert valleys. J. Arid Environ. 42, 71–80.

  • Matznetter, J., 1958. Die Kanarischen Inseln. In: Graf, A., Kuttler, W., Werner, J., 2008. Mulching as a means of exploiting dew for arid agriculture? Atmos. Res. 87, 369–376.

  • Whitford, W. G., 2002. Ecology of desert systems. Elsevier Science Ltd.

  • Schmiedel, U., Jurgens, N., 2004. Habitat ecology of southern African quartz fields: studies on the thermal properties near the ground. Plant Ecology, 153, 153–166.

  • Stone, E.C., 1963. The ecological importance of dew. The Quartely Rev. Bio. 38, 328–341.

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF). The authors would also like to thank Dr. J. Irish and Prof. M. Fey for the input.

Author information

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 & J. Henschel

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

    M. K. Seely

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

    R. Brown

  6. 26 Gobvu Road, Zengeza 3, Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe

    K. F. Kaseke

Authors
  1. K. F. Kaseke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. J. Mills
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Henschel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. K. Seely
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. K. Esler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. R. Brown
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. F. Kaseke.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kaseke, K.F., Mills, A.J., Henschel, J. et al. The Effects of Desert Pavements (Gravel Mulch) on Soil Micro-Hydrology. Pure Appl. Geophys. 169, 873–880 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-011-0367-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-011-0367-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation