Authors : Obiejesi Luke Ndubuisi and Ogochukwu Samuel Azi
Abstract: Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD) in selected areas of the semi arid region of Nigeria was estimated and its spatial variation with rainfall investigated. The method applied used Rainfall, Evapotranspiration, Runoff Coefficients and Root Constants to estimate SMD on a daily time step over a period of 3 consecutive years (2001-2003). When the predicted daily SMD results were examined, the major variations were associated with prevailing rainfall events. As expected, seasonal variations in daily SMD occurred, with the months of January and February recording the maximum value of 123 mm. The range of the daily results was found to vary from 123 mm in January to 11 mm in August for Sokoto, 6 mm (August) in Maiduguri and 3 mm (August) at Kano. Minimum daily SMD (zero) occurred in several days in the months of July, August and September. Among the 3 locations studied in the region, Kano was found to have a better distribution of the daily SMD. The estimated maximum daily SMD is about 17% higher when compared with similar results quoted in literature.
Obiejesi Luke Ndubuisi and Ogochukwu Samuel Azi , 2008. Spatial Variability of Soil Moisture Deficit in Semi-Arid Region of Nigeria. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 3: 143-148.