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The research evaluates the impact of pine plantations on soil water content in Zapatoca, Santander, using geophysical methods: Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). This study addresses the need to understand how non-native forest species can alter soil water dynamics, a crucial factor for environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity in the region.
Four experimental plots were analyzed: three with pine species (Maximinoi, Oocarpa, and Pátula) and one with native forest. The methodology included the physical and chemical characterization of the soil, repeated geophysical measurements over time, calculation of soil water content based on geophysical measurements, and complementary laboratory analyses of water content. Significant differences in soil texture, density, and chemical composition were identified among the plots, highlighting higher clay content in native forests compared to soils under pine plantations, which influences resistivity and water retention capacity.
The results showed that pine plantations reduce water infiltration due to surface physical barriers, such as pine needles. This effect led to lower soil water content under pines, with more limited spatial and temporal moisture dynamics. The study highlights the effectiveness of geophysical methods in characterizing water variability across different vegetation types.