Seasonal Changes in Soil and Air Temperature at Three Locations in Puerto Rico, 1963-67

Abstract

Soil temperature data at Río Piedras in the north, Lajas in the southwest, and Fortuna in the south, are given in this paper for the 5-year period 1963- 67. Seasonal variations in soil and air temperatures follow distinct patterns somewhat, depending on the nature of the soil cover and rainfall. Mean maximum and minimum temperatures at the 2-inch depth, respectively, are: Río Piedras, 96.2° F. and 79.6° F.; Lajas, 102.1° F. and 69.0° F.; and Fortuna, 93.2° F. and 79.1° F. The corresponding soil temperatures at the 8-inch depth, respectively, are: Río Piedras, 80.5° F. and 77.4° F.; Lajas, 83.4° F. and 77.8° F.; and Fortuna, 85.7° F. and 82.7° F. The differences and trends of soil temperature at 2-inch and 8-inch depths can find adequate explanation when soil moisture and soil cover are considered. However, the differences between maximum and minimum soil temperatures at 8 inches of depth are roughly one fifth of the corresponding ones at the 2-inch depth. The maximum and minimum air temperature at Lajas, Fortuna and Río Piedras are much more similar to each other than the corresponding soil temperature, especially at the 2-inch depth. This is mainly because air temperature is rather measured on a macro and integrating scale while soil temperature measurements exhibit localized effects of soil cover and soil moisture. It was found that highly significant 2-inch soil-air temperature relationships are evident under bare soil conditions. The same relationships were not significant under sod cover at Fortuna.