Estimation of Soil Moisture Content in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo-State using Remote Sensing Technique: 2018 Study

Abstract

Accurate estimation of soil moisture is crucial for effective water and soil resource management. Surface soil moisture, a key variable in the natural water cycle, significantly influences hydrological, ecological, and meteorological processes, thereby impacting global water and energy equilibrium. Understanding the spatiotemporal variability of soil moisture is essential due to its direct influence on vegetation distribution. Insufficient moisture leads to yield loss and plant mortality, while excessive moisture can cause root diseases and water wastage. Soil moisture measurements can be conducted through in situ methods or indirectly through transfer functions or remote sensing. However, in situ measurements are often too expensive and time-consuming for large areas, making remote sensing an attractive alternative for soil moisture estimation on larger scales. This study aims to estimate soil moisture using land surface temperature as a proxy. To achieve this, ground temperature was derived from Landsat-8 thermal infrared band for the Oredo Local Government Area. ArcGIS (ArcMap 10.2.2) was employed to estimate soil moisture based on the calculated ground temperature. The study identified areas with low, moderate, and high moisture contents, with the moderate moisture index being predominant during both seasons. These findings establish a valuable database that can support farmers in implementing precision farming practices within the investigated local government area.