Monitoring and Modelling of Soil Hydraulic Properties and Soil-Water Dynamics in the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum

Acquiring knowledge of the soil hydraulic properties (SHP) of soil is essential for understanding the hydrological dynamics of terrestrial systems, as well as soil health indicators and soil management systems under various land use and land cover (LULC) types. The precise quantification of SHP is paramount in facilitating decisions that influence environmental functionality and its sustainability, in addition to agricultural methodologies. A detailed characterisation of each component of the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum (SPAC) context, whilst considering their interconnections and both spatial and temporal distributions, is essential for addressing global challenges such as the mitigation and adaptation to climate change, water scarcity, the repercussions of LULC on soil functions, groundwater contamination, and the assurance of food security. However, accurately monitoring and modelling SPAC mass and energy fluxes exchanges, extending from the plot scale to the catchment scale, remains a considerable scientific challenge.

This Research Topic aims to bring together cutting-edge research that advances our understanding of soil-water dynamics in the SPAC and their implications for land system functioning.

In this Research Topic, we welcome studies on the following subtopics, but not limited to:
• Innovative methodologies for characterising SHPs: application of remote and proximal sensing, in situ and laboratory measurements, isotopic analysis to quantify water flows and solute transport, and multi-source data integration to quantify soil-water dynamics.
• Advanced modelling approaches: Development and application of eco-hydrological models based on SHP data from various in situ and in laboratory sources, as well as digital twins for scalable monitoring and estimation of hydrological patterns at the plot, catchment and agroecosystem scales.
• Soil-water dynamic patterns under climate change: how droughts, soil erosion, heat waves, land use changes, and fires affect SHP and its impact to agricultural crop productivity, water quality, and soil health indicators.
• Case studies: lab, field and/or modelling studies of SHPs and their impact on different ecosystems, such as agricultural systems, forests, wetlands, pastures, arid lands and their respective interconnectivity of SHPs and water-soil dynamics.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: hydraulic conductivity, available soil water, SPAC modelling, soil water retention, water flow

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.