A Comparison of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) Estimations from Pedotransfer Functions (PTFs) and Field Observations in Riparian Seasonal Wetlands
Accurate saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) predictions are critical for precise water flow estimations. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) have been used to estimate Ksat based on soil structural and textural properties. However, PTF accuracy must be validated with observed Ksat values to improve c...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/15/2711 |
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| author | Bidisha Faruque Abesh Jason A. Hubbart |
| author_facet | Bidisha Faruque Abesh Jason A. Hubbart |
| author_sort | Bidisha Faruque Abesh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Accurate saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) predictions are critical for precise water flow estimations. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) have been used to estimate Ksat based on soil structural and textural properties. However, PTF accuracy must be validated with observed Ksat values to improve confidence in model predictions. A study was conducted in the seasonal wetlands of a representative mixed land-use watershed in West Virginia (WV), USA. The observed data included soil characteristics and observed piezometric Ksat using slug tests. Soil texture was predominantly sandy, and the observed average Ksat ranged from 35.90 to 169.64 m/d. The average bulk dry density (bdry) increased, while porosity and volumetric water content decreased significantly with a depth to 45 cm (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The degree of saturation varied significantly between monitoring sites (<i>p</i> < 0.05). A Pearson correlation matrix and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that Ksat was more connected to soil textural properties, specifically clay. Single parameter PTFs that estimated Ksat as a function of clay content performed better (ME = −90.19 m/d, RMSE = 102.87 m/d) than the PTFs that used silt or sand percentages (ME= −96.86 m/d, RMSE = 108.77). However, all five PTFs predicted Ksat with low accuracy (RMSE > 100 m/d), emphasizing the need to calibrate existing PTFs with observed data or develop site-specific PTFs. These results provide valuable insights into Ksat estimation in riparian wetlands of mixed land-use watersheds and are a helpful reference for land managers and future work. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:14:20Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:14:20Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
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| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-42450eef5b874500a0b91906056fa69f2023-11-18T23:46:43ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412023-07-011515271110.3390/w15152711A Comparison of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) Estimations from Pedotransfer Functions (PTFs) and Field Observations in Riparian Seasonal WetlandsBidisha Faruque Abesh0Jason A. Hubbart1Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USADivision of Forestry and Natural Resources, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USAAccurate saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) predictions are critical for precise water flow estimations. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) have been used to estimate Ksat based on soil structural and textural properties. However, PTF accuracy must be validated with observed Ksat values to improve confidence in model predictions. A study was conducted in the seasonal wetlands of a representative mixed land-use watershed in West Virginia (WV), USA. The observed data included soil characteristics and observed piezometric Ksat using slug tests. Soil texture was predominantly sandy, and the observed average Ksat ranged from 35.90 to 169.64 m/d. The average bulk dry density (bdry) increased, while porosity and volumetric water content decreased significantly with a depth to 45 cm (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The degree of saturation varied significantly between monitoring sites (<i>p</i> < 0.05). A Pearson correlation matrix and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that Ksat was more connected to soil textural properties, specifically clay. Single parameter PTFs that estimated Ksat as a function of clay content performed better (ME = −90.19 m/d, RMSE = 102.87 m/d) than the PTFs that used silt or sand percentages (ME= −96.86 m/d, RMSE = 108.77). However, all five PTFs predicted Ksat with low accuracy (RMSE > 100 m/d), emphasizing the need to calibrate existing PTFs with observed data or develop site-specific PTFs. These results provide valuable insights into Ksat estimation in riparian wetlands of mixed land-use watersheds and are a helpful reference for land managers and future work.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/15/2711saturated hydraulic conductivitypedotransfer functionmixed land useriparian wetlandmodel comparisonprincipal component analysis |
| spellingShingle | Bidisha Faruque Abesh Jason A. Hubbart A Comparison of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) Estimations from Pedotransfer Functions (PTFs) and Field Observations in Riparian Seasonal Wetlands Water saturated hydraulic conductivity pedotransfer function mixed land use riparian wetland model comparison principal component analysis |
| title | A Comparison of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) Estimations from Pedotransfer Functions (PTFs) and Field Observations in Riparian Seasonal Wetlands |
| title_full | A Comparison of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) Estimations from Pedotransfer Functions (PTFs) and Field Observations in Riparian Seasonal Wetlands |
| title_fullStr | A Comparison of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) Estimations from Pedotransfer Functions (PTFs) and Field Observations in Riparian Seasonal Wetlands |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Comparison of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) Estimations from Pedotransfer Functions (PTFs) and Field Observations in Riparian Seasonal Wetlands |
| title_short | A Comparison of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) Estimations from Pedotransfer Functions (PTFs) and Field Observations in Riparian Seasonal Wetlands |
| title_sort | comparison of saturated hydraulic conductivity ksat estimations from pedotransfer functions ptfs and field observations in riparian seasonal wetlands |
| topic | saturated hydraulic conductivity pedotransfer function mixed land use riparian wetland model comparison principal component analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/15/2711 |
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