干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

In order to research the adaptability of cosmic-ray neutron method in soil moisture measurement and serve the management and decision of animal husbandry, continuous monitoring was conducted by the Cosmic-Ray Sensing probe (CRS) in desert steppe. By comparing with measuring results of the Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR), the consistency of soil moisture measured by CRS and TDR and the sensitivity in response of soil moisture with both methods to rainfall were researched. Results show that a good consistency of soil moisture measured by CRS and TDR is achieved and that TDR isn't sensitive to rainfall, while CRS can not only respond quickly to rainfall but also reveal clearly corresponding changes of soil moisture led by different rainfalls. It's concluded that cosmic-ray neutron method can measure soil moisture and reflect its dynamic change accurately in desert steppe and provide decision basis for the modern animal husbandry management.