Probabilistic models of spatial fluctuations of edaphic properties in native soils in steppe zone of Western Siberia

Abstract

Fluctuations of properties in an individuum (pedon) of a chestnut soil under different use (virgin soil, unirrigated arable soil, and irrigated arable soil) were quantitatively evaluated. It was shown that these fluctuations make up to 20-40% of the property changeability in an elementary soil area. Probability distribution functions (pdf) with high p-values were considered as probabilistic models of soil properties. Analysis of pdf regularities gives clear and stable information about difference of soil properties in the soil volumes in space in soil horizons under agricultural impacts. Information divergences quantify these regularities. Analysis of entropy value highlighted the main tendency of agricultural impact – the tendency of outstanding decreasing quantity of various microconditions of soil, which is important change of edaphic factor.

Keywords

• soil
• properties
• fluctuation
• pdf
• information divergence
• statistical entropy