HOW TO MEASURE GROUNDWATER DEPTH: PROTOCOL FOR PIEZOMETER INSTALLATION
Keywords:
Groundwater depth; soil water in soil; soil water reservoirAbstract
Groundwater depth is an easy, direct measure that can be done with a low cost in the field, and consists of accessing the underground superficial water. The water availability in the soils affects a myriad of organisms, influencing its distribution. In some areas that are subjected to periodic floods, the groundwater depth affects directly the survival of some species. To measure this variable, we can utilize piezometers, which consist of PVC pipes installed in the field that can remain at the sampling site for years without needing to be substituted. The groundwater-depth mesurements can be done monthly using a modified tape measureme and the result is registered in a spread sheet. This variable can be correlated many other ecological variables.