Summary
This study employed ground-based soil moisture networks and satellite vegetation indices to characterise the 2018 Netherlands drought, establishing the relationship between critical soil moisture content and vegetation stress progression. Through piece-wise linear correlation analysis, the authors demonstrated that detectable soil moisture deficits emerge 2–3 weeks before vegetation productivity declines, and that root water uptake shifts to deeper soil layers as drought intensifies. These parameterised relationships enable improved drought impact modelling on carbon cycling and evapotranspiration reduction in water-limited regimes.
UK applicability
The methodological approach is directly applicable to UK drought monitoring and early warning systems, particularly given similar temperate climates and agricultural practices in comparable regions. However, critical soil moisture thresholds derived from Dutch conditions may require recalibration for UK soil types and rooting profiles.
Key measures
In situ soil moisture profiles, near-infrared reflectance of terrestrial vegetation (NIRv), vegetation optical depth (VOD), soil moisture anomalies at multiple profile depths
Outcomes reported
The study quantified critical soil moisture thresholds by comparing in situ soil moisture measurements with satellite-derived vegetation indices during the 2018 summer drought. Results show that soil moisture anomalies precede vegetation index reductions by 2–3 weeks, and that critical soil moisture content increases with soil depth.
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