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Journal of Environmental Hydrology
ISSN 1058-3912 |
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Electronic Journal of the International Association for
Environmental Hydrology
JEH Volume 17 (2009), Paper 34 Posted December 17, 2009 TIME LAGS BETWEEN RAINFALL AND GROUNDWATER LEVELS IN A FOREST AND CATTLE PASTURE OF AN AMAZON WATERSHED
Luciana Sanches1 2Department of Physics, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil 3Department of Soil and Rural Engineering, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil ABSTRACT Time lags between rainfall and groundwater level response are quantified by cross-correlation analysis comparing transitional forest and cattle pasture (Amazonia and Savanna) ecosystems in the north of Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Groundwater levels were measured monthly from January 2005 to December 2006 in six monitoring wells. Micrometeorological data (air temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) were collected for the same period. Groundwater level increased in the wet season and decreased in the dry season in both ecosystems. The maximum correlation coefficient between rainfall and water level for the forest occurred after a time lag of 2 months in the forest and 1 month in the pasture. The conclusion is that the forest had larger time lag (and smaller amplitude) than the pasture due to the forest having greater evapotranspiration, less average soil moisture, and consequently, lower average level of water table compared to pasture if the soil conditions are similar. Reference: Sanches, L., N.L.R. de Andrade, O.B. Pinto Jr., M.C. Alves, and J.S. Nogueira. 2009. Time lags between rainfall and groundwater levels in a forest and cattle pasture of an Amazon watershed. Journal of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 17, Paper 34. CONTACT: Luciana Sanches Federal University of Mato Grosso Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering Av. Fernando Correa da Costa s/n Cuiabá-MT - 78060-900 Brazil E-mail: luciana.sanches@pq.cnpq.br |
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