Effects of microrelief on distribution of soil moisture and bulk density

A plot of moderately dissected bottom-land soil in west-central Mississippi was divided into 120 sampling areas, on each of which soil moisture samples were taken from the 6- to 12-inch layer below the surface (at the point of sampling). Topography was mapped at contour intervals of 0.3 ft and soil moisture and bulk density were analyzed in relation to microelevation. The total difference of elevation on the plot was 1.8 ft. Two shallow drainages divided the plot. Very small changes in elevation caused significant changes in moisture and bulk density for the 6- to 12-inch layer. The variation in moisture appeared to be greater when measurements were by volume than by weight.