The seasonal difference of soil moisture patterns with considering meteorological variables throughout the Korean peninsula

Abstract

This study focuses on the seasonal difference of soil moisture patterns with considering the 34 impact of meteorological variables (air/ground temperature, precipitation, and the amount of 35 insolation) on soil moisture variability over the Korean peninsula between January 2012 and 36 February 2013. Firstly, through statistical metrics (skewness and kurtosis), we found that 37 spatial distributions of soil moisture changed differently with mean soil moisture contents 38 according to the season (Summer: June 1 to August 31, Winter: November 1 to January 31). 39 Secondly, daily variations of meteorological variables had different relationships with soil 40 moisture change for two seasons. Especially air and soil temperatures clearly had negative 41 relationships with the soil moisture during the summer period while they had positive 42 relationships during the winter period. Lastly, temporal stability testing showed that 43 representative soil moisture sites in regional scale could be changed with seasonal periods, 44 especially in the Asian monsoon region. In conclusion, these results provide an evidence that 45 there are clear differences of soil moisture patterns according to seasonal characteristics. This 46 study might be useful for further researches relating to climate-meteorological effects on soil 47 moisture patterns in regional scale.