Comparison of Canopy-Vegetation Parameters from Interior Parts to Edge of Multi-Story Grove Forest Patch and Meadow Field Within Rural Landscape for Soil Temperature and Moisture

Abstract

Soil temperature and soil moisture are significant interactive parameters that influence many ecological and hydrological processes within forest ecosystems. Furthermore, they are affected by the above canopy characteristics, which determine the amount of sunlight penetration. These canopy characteristics spatially vary within isolated or narrowed forest patches, which include interior parts and edges. On the other hand, forest patches display different effects on the soil temperature and moisture than agricultural meadows within rural landscapes. This study aimed to analyze and evaluate the influences of interior-edge canopies and meadow cover on soil temperature and moisture. Hence, the mutual responses of canopy phenology and physiology, along with the soil temperature and moisture beneath, were analyzed and determined on a temporal basis throughout one year. For this purpose, the air-soil temperature and precipitation data of close meteorological stations were utilized. In addition, soil temperature and moisture parameters were analyzed using an on-site measuring device. Furthermore, canopy parameters-namely LAI, LT, CO, and GF-were determined using a hemispherical photographing procedure and image processing-analysis methodology. Moreover, the LAI of the meadow cover was determined using an on-site analysis device. The maximum LAI, with mean values of 3.69 m2 m-2 and 2.54 m2 m-2, occurred in late May (DOY: 142) within the forest canopies of the interior parts and the patch edge, respectively. On the other hand, the maximum LAI with a mean value of 2.77 m2 m-2 occurred again in late May within the meadow field. On the contrary, during the same period, the lowest percentages were observed for LT and CO, each at 5%, and for GF with 0.5% within the interior parts of the forest patch. However, their lowest percentages were 23% and 16%, respectively, within the forest patch edge. For that late May period, the mean soil temperatures were 17.2, 26.0, and 21.0 degrees C under the forest canopies of the interior parts, the patch edge, and the meadow field, respectively. Meanwhile, their mean soil moistures were 56.4%, 51.6%, and 32.9% when the mean air temperature was 16.2 degrees C. Definite correlation did not exist between the canopy-vegetation parameters and the soil temperature-moisture values for all the interior parts, for the edge of the multi-story grove forest patch, and for the meadow field. Based on the overall results of this study, there were apparent differences amongst the interior parts, the edge of the forest patch, and the meadow field in terms of both the canopy-vegetation parameters and the soil temperature-moisture values. The multi-story structure of the interior parts and the edge of the forest patch determined the temporal patterns of their canopy-vegetation parameters. This study elucidated ecology, hydrology, and therefore management of narrow forest patches between agricultural areas within rural landscapes.