Abstract
The stability and sustainability of savannah-like ecosystems are determined by the feedback between their utility and functioning. As opposed to what is commonly assumed, we hypothesized that the structure and function of arid systems are determined by energy and water flows even during he dry season. It is therefore critical to understand the water and energy fluxes in the ecosystem,and the interrelationships between them, with an emphasis on processes occurring during the dry season. These fluxes drive the primary and secondary production and decomposition processes and therefore have an important impact on the stability and sustainability of the ecosystem.To examine the interaction between energy flows and the savannah-like system, a measuring station was established at the Wadi Mashash Experimental Farm, located north of the Negev junction, in the center of the sharp transition between a semi-arid to an arid region. A flux tower was installed at the site, accompanied by additional ancillary measurements. Contrary to the common belief, we have found that there is a significant and repetitive hydrological cycle throughout the dry season,driven by atmospheric water vapor adsorbed by the soil, from the afternoon until sunrise. The source of the water vapor is the daily breeze from the Mediterranean Sea. Although this water cycle is very small, it is also very consistent. Preliminary data analysis from measurements of carbon dioxide concentration indicates a possible connection between the addition of water to the soil following the adsorption of water vapor and the biological activity in the soil during the summer in the Negev.This is an important and innovative finding, that will be further examined to understand the importance of the process in this ecosystem
Translated title of the contribution | The unexpected water cycle during the summer in the Negev |
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Original language | Hebrew |
Pages (from-to) | 28-37 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | יער |
Volume | 22 |
State | Published - 2022 |