SOIL-MANAGEMENT AND VEGETATION EFFECTS ON MEASURED AND ESTIMATED SOIL THERMAL REGIMES IN CANADA

Observations at sites in British Columbia, the Yukon, Manitoba and Nova Scotia over a range of soils, managements and vegetation were used to assess variation in soil temperature. The annual soil temperature regime was compared with estimates derived from a macroclimate model which was developed for mineral soils that are level, well to moderately well drained, and covered by short grass. In general, this study showed the dampening effect of vegetation cover on soil temperature and suggested the further dampening effect of an organic layer on the soil surface. -from Authors