23.3.1. Soil Water Balance Method

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does AET stand for?

   Hint

   Think about the role of plants and soil in this process.

2. 2.

   In the water balance equation, what does P represent?

   Hint

   It's the water that falls from the sky.

3. 3.

   What is AET a measure of?

   • Potential Evapotranspiration
   • Total Precipitation
   • Actual Evapotranspiration

   Hint

   Focus on what happens to water under current conditions.

4. 4.

   The water balance equation includes which of the following components?

   • Precipitation
   • Runoff
   • Deep Percolation
   • Change in Soil Moisture
   • Temperature
   • Humidity
   • Soil Type
   • Rainfall
   • Wind Speed
   • Solar Radiation
   • Crop Growth
   • Soil Moisture

   Hint

   Think of what enters and leaves the soil system.

5. 5.

   You are managing a farm with variable soil types. Discuss how you would apply the Soil Water Balance Method throughout the growing season in different soil types.

   Hint

   Consider how each soil type retains or drains water differently.

6. 6.

   A region reports 200 mm of precipitation, and after accounting for runoff of 50 mm and deep percolation of 30 mm, the soil moisture storage increased by 40 mm in one period. Calculate AET.

   Hint

   Make sure to substitute correctly and consider each component of the water balance.