Parameters affecting water vapor adsorption by the soil under semi-arid climatic conditions

Water vapor adsorption by the soil in Mediterranean ecosystems is very important to plant growth. We hypothesized that relative air humidity, soil texture, soil water content, and soil surface conditions affect water vapor adsorption. These factors were studied in four areas in Greece with semi-arid climatic conditions on four soils classified as Xerochrept. The study was conducted on hilly areas with various physiographic and microclimatic conditions greatly affecting daily fluctuations of air humidity. Time domain reflectometers (TDR) continuously monitored soil water content at depths 5, 10 and 25 cm. Rainfall, open pan water evaporation, air temperature, and relative air humidity were measured every 40 s, averaged, and recorded on data loggers every hour. Two weighing lysimeters were used to confirm soil water data measured by TDR-electrodes.