SMEX04 Soil Moisture and Thermal Properties for Walnut Gulch Watershed

Soil measurements from the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed in Arizona collected for the Soil Moisture Experiment 2004 (SMEX04). The dataset includes parameters such as soil moisture content, soil temperature, electrical conductivity, hydraulic conductivity, and thermal properties. It was produced by NASA investigators, with primary data collection occurring in 2004.

Use Cases

• Validating remote sensing soil moisture algorithms using in-situ measurements of soil moisture content and land surface temperature.
• Modeling watershed hydrology by analyzing soil hydraulic conductivity and thermal conductivity data.
• Studying soil salinity impacts on agriculture using measurements of soil electrical conductivity and salinity/sodicity.
• Investigating soil thermal dynamics by examining time-series data for soil temperature and land surface thermal properties.

Strengths

• Data originates from a controlled experimental watershed (Walnut Gulch) designed for hydrological studies.
• Includes multiple interrelated soil physical properties (moisture, temperature, conductivity) for a holistic analysis.
• Dataset is hosted by authoritative organizations including NASA and appears on multiple data platforms, indicating recognized importance.

Limitations

• Documentation was provided solely by the Principal Investigators and was not thoroughly reviewed or edited by NSIDC, limiting support.
• Key technical details like row count, file size, and specific column names are unavailable across all sources.
• There is a conflict in the 'last updated' metadata: one platform lists 2004-09-30, while another lists 2026-03-12, creating uncertainty about maintenance.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) investigators for the Soil Moisture Experiment 2004 (SMEX04).

Collection Method

In-situ measurements collected in the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed.

Time Range

2004

Freshness

2026-03-12 19:47:09.112203

Geography

Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed, Arizona, USA.