MoistureMap Explained
MoistureMap is our proprietary process that uses non-destructive, ground penetrating radar (along with very accurate GPS positioning) to take many readings of subsurface volumetric moisture content over a large area and range of depths. Measurements rely on the occurrence of discrete objects, like pieces of gravel or cobble, irrigation pipes or drainage tile, or anything else that is significantly different from the surrounding soil. In essence, each object acts like a passive sensor that we can derive moisture content from once or many times as long as they remain in place. The glaring question with this is, how do we know there will be discrete objects in the subsurface? Well, we don’t always know for sure that there will be, but overwhelmingly, the chances are that there will be many. For example, an approximately 2.5 acre field that we surveyed had 225 buried objects that we could use for measurements. In reality, we don’t need that many to contour/grid the data to make a map, but the more the better! So, how does this methodology fit into the framework of irrigation planning and other monitoring methods? The MoistureMap method provides a snapshot of the subsurface moisture variation over the surveyed area. This snapshot can inform decisions about irrigation planning, or if already in place, irrigation effectiveness. Also, this snapshot can provide a roadmap for the strategic placement of long-term monitoring equipment, which is far too expensive to deploy in dense arrays. At close to $1,500 for the average professional grade remote soil moisture sensor setup, 225 measurements per 2.5 acres is not even remotely in the realm of possibility.
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