Estimation of root zone soil moisture at point scale based on soil water measurements from cosmic-ray neutron sensing in a karst catchment

The cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) is an emerging method for continuously monitoring soil water content (SWC) at an intermediate scale. However, when multiple hydrologic units are present within its footprint, the potential application of CRNS in water resources management is restricted. Here we propose a new strategy to predict point-scale SWC in root zone established on CRNS-based soil moisture and improved relative difference method. A total of 768 days of soil moisture data were collected by CRNS at the intermediate scale and EC-TM sensors at the point scale in a karst catchment. The original and improved mean relative difference methods predicted point-scale SWCs within and without the effective measuring depth, respectively. The mean effective measuring depth was 13.16 cm, ranging from 10.13 to 19.23 cm. Both land use type and soil structure played essential roles in regulating point scale SWC in the soil profile. Point-scale SWC in root zone can be predicted accurately (P < 0.001) based on SWC data derived from the CRNS system. The prediction accuracy of point scale SWC can be improved by increasing the averaging time of the soil moisture values. Our results demonstrated that the proposed strategy was reliable for CRNS to predict SWC beyond the effective measurement depth. This study provides a good perspective for effectively managing of water resources in areas with complex hydrological processes.