Modeling Water and Heat Transfer in the Soil-Mulch-Atmosphere System

Mulch overlying the soil has an important influence on the ground surface water and energy balances in land surface processes. A mulch parameterization was proposed and incorporated into a soil-atmosphere-transfer model. The experiment data at the Bondville site used for the model validation was collected from the Ameriflux. The model was tested and validated during the simulation period for corn residue mulch after harvest. Comparisons of simulations and observations have demonstrated that the model was capable of simulating surface energy balance components as well as soil temperature and volumetric water content profiles well. Comparisons between the model with and without the mulch parameterization were made to quantity the effects of a mulch on water and heat transfer in the soil-mulch-atmosphere system. A sensitivity test and analysis were performed about the mulch parameters.