Linking soil, vegetation and hydrology at Lincoln University Living Laboratory: I. spatial distribution of soil bulk density, water and air contents.

The spatial distributions of soil bulk density and water and air contents were studied at Lincoln University's Living Laboratory. Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used as tools in this study. Results obtained showed that these properties varied greatly across the Living Laboratory. Soil gravimetric (GWC) and volumetric (VWC) water contents had the highest variability (CV>35%) as compared to soil bulk density (BD) and air content (AC) with CV below 20%. Interpolated maps produced using ArcGIS 8.3 Spatial Analyst Extension helped to show which part of the Living Laboratory the four properties where high or low in and which part they may need to be improved. GIS and GPS are useful tools in studying soil properties and should be recommended.

* Plassmeyer, C.J. and N.V. Nkongolo. Center of Excellence GIS & Remote Sensing, Department of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Lincoln University.