Variation of soil temperature and moisture in tropical land-uses

Abstract. Karyati, Syafrudin M, Karmini, Afreliana AM, Wahyuni NS. 2026. Variation of soil temperature and moisture in tropical land-uses. Asian J For 10 (1): r100126. https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjfor/r100126. Soil temperature and moisture are key microclimatic variables that influence soil processes, plant growth, and ecosystem sustainability. Land-use change and soil depth are among the main factors affecting these dynamics, particularly in tropical urban areas. This study aimed to examine the variations of soil temperature and humidity across different land uses (sengon plantations, shrublands, and residential areas) at varying soil depths (0-10 cm, 20-30 cm, 50-60 cm, and 90-100 cm). Soil temperature and moisture data were collected using an environmental meter over a 30-day observation period. Soil microclimatic conditions in sengon plantations are more favorable, with lower temperatures and higher moisture levels across various soil depths than in shrublands and residential areas. As the soil depth increases, soil temperature decreases, whereas soil moisture increases. Statistical analysis shows significant differences in soil temperature and moisture across land uses and soil depths. The results indicate that sengon plantations create a cooler, moister soil microclimate than shrublands and residential areas across various soil depths, suggesting their potential role to improve soil water retention, reduce heat stress, and support sustainable land management. Incorporating sengon plantations into land-use planning may help enhance soil resilience, agricultural productivity, and local climate adaptation. Information on soil temperature and moisture across various land uses and depths is important for understanding the condition of the plant root zone and can inform fertilization plans, plant growth, and more efficient, sustainable land management.