BADM Group: SWC

BADM Type: Soil
Description: Soil Water Content
Group Entries per Site: Multiple
Last updated: May 26, 2023

BADM Group Overview

BADM variables in this group are organized as shown below. The overview highlights what variables are required per group. It also indicates which variables cannot be specified together ( OR ) in the same group entry. See BADM Basics for more details.

Multiple entries of this BADM group can be reported per site. However, combinations of variables must be unique. Read more:

Required Variable
Optional Variable
Combinations
Examples
RequiredOptional
Soil Water Content
  • SWC
  • SWC_STATISTIC
  • SWC_UNIT
  • SWC_DATE
  • OR
  • SWC_DATE_START
  • SWC_DATE_END
  • SWC_STATISTIC_METHOD
  • SWC_STATISTIC_NUMBER
  • SWC_PROFILE_ZERO_REF
  • SWC_PROFILE_MIN
  • SWC_PROFILE_MAX
  • SWC_HORIZON
  • SWC_APPROACH
  • SWC_DATE_UNC
  • SWC_COMMENT
  • BADM variables: Definitions, Units, Requirements

    See Overview tab or BADM Basics for explanation of Required and Optional variables.

    Multiple entries of this BADM group can be reported per site. However, combinations of variables must be unique. Read more:

    Required Variable
    Optional Variable
    Combinations
    Examples
    Variable
    Requirements
    Units Description
    SWC
    Required
    %Soil water content (not continuous measurements)
    Report continuous half-hourly or hourly measurements with flux/met data.
    SWC_STATISTIC
    Required
    LIST(STATISTIC) ShowSoil water content statistic
    The statistic for the measurement reported. Use predefined list (e.g., mean, min / max, standard deviation, etc).
    STATISTIC Options×
    OptionDescription
    MeanAverage (mean) value of sample population
    Standard DeviationStandard deviation may be reported from a sample population that consists of individual or aggregated samples (observations). If the distinction is important, specify in STATISTIC_METHOD or Comments.
    MinimumMinimum value
    1st PercentileQuantile at 1% of distribution
    5th PercentileQuantile at 5% of distribution
    10th PercentileQuantile at 10% of distribution
    25th PercentileQuantile at 25% of distribution
    Median - 50th PercentileMedian - Quantile at 50% of distribution
    75th PercentileQuantile at 75% of distribution
    90th PercentileQuantile at 90% of distribution
    95th PercentileQuantile at 95% of distribution
    99th PercentileQuantile at 99% of distribution
    MaximumMaximum value
    Single observationSingle observation that is not a calculated statistic of replicates either to get a robust estimate or for spatial variability analysis. For example a single biomass observation may be the vegetation harvested in a single 1 x 1 meter area.
    Measurement UncertaintyReport uncertainty as a plus or minus value in the measurement units. For example, enter 1.5 for +/- 1.5 units. Uncertainty may be reported from the instrument's specifications, determined empirically, or estimated by the tower team. Please describe such details in Approach. For uncertainty values that are better described by a range, a percent, or other, please enter information in Comments.
    SWC_STATISTIC_METHOD
    Optional
    LIST(STATISTIC_METHOD) ShowSoil water content statistic method
    Method used to generate the reported statistic (e.g., aggregate of individuals, aggregate of sample aggregates) from observations representing the same time period. Use predefined list. The aggregation method is not meant to describe temporal aggregations for example in calculations of higher frequency observations (e.g., sub-minute) to lower frequency observations (e.g., hourly) at a single location.
    STATISTIC_METHOD Options×
    OptionDescription
    Aggregate of individual observationsThe statistic is aggregated from individual observations located within the site. Observations may be grouped into sample areas (e.g., plots) within the site but those groupings are ignored. Statistics generated from individual observations directly yield information on the site generally. The statistic may represent spatial characteristics of the measurement within the site (e.g., spatial heterogeneity) and/or characteristics due to other factors (e.g., population variability).
    Aggregate of sample aggregatesThe statistic is aggregated from aggregated individual observations located in sample areas within the site. For example, individual observations are made in 5 sample plots within a site. "Aggregate of sample aggregates" is used if a plot statistic (e.g., Mean) is first calculated, and then the plot values are aggregated to calculate the site statistic. Statistics generated by this approach are often used to highlight the spatial characteristics within the site (i.e., the spatial heterogeneity of measurement within the site).
    Expert estimateEstimate made by expert familiar with site
    SWC_STATISTIC_NUMBER
    Optional
    integer numberNumber of observations used to determine soil water content statistic
    Number of observations (samples / replicates) used to calculate the STATISTIC for the reported measurement.
    SWC_UNIT
    Required
    LIST(UNIT_SWC) ShowMeasurement unit of Soil water content
    Use the predefined list to specify gravimetric (mass water / mass dry soil) or volumetric (volume water / volume soil) water content.
    UNIT_SWC Options×
    OptionDescription
    Gravimetric
    Volumetric
    SWC_PROFILE_ZERO_REF
    Optional
    LIST(PROFILE_ZERO_REF) ShowSoil water content profile zero reference
    Profile Zero Reference is the horizontal plane from which the soil profile minimum and maximum depths are measured. For example, top of mineral soil or top of litter layer. Use predefined list.
    PROFILE_ZERO_REF Options×
    OptionDescription
    Top of mineral soilTop of mineral soil not including organic layers
    Top of surfaceOn top of all organic layers
    OtherSee additional information in Approach / Comments
    SWC_PROFILE_MIN
    Optional
    cmSoil water content profile minimum depth
    Profile minimum depth is the vertical distance from profile zero reference to the top of soil layer being measured.
    SWC_PROFILE_MAX
    Optional
    cmSoil water content profile maximum depth
    Profile maximum depth is the vertical distance from profile zero reference to the bottom of soil layer being measured.
    SWC_HORIZON
    Optional
    free textSoil water content horizon
    Use soil horizon scheme best suited for your soil. Examples include O, Oa, B, Bt, C.
    SWC_APPROACH
    Optional
    free textSoil water content measurement approach
    SWC_DATE
    Required-a
    YYYYMMDDHHMMSoil water content measurement date
    Please report the date at the precision known. Allowed reporting precisions are YYYY, YYYYMM, YYYYMMDD, and YYYYMMDDHHMM. For soil moisture campaigns or temporal averages, SWC_DATE_START and SWC_DATE_END can be used.
    SWC_DATE_START
    Required-a
    YYYYMMDDHHMMStart date of Soil water content measurment
    Start date of a soil moisure measurement campaign or start date of a temporal average. Please report the date at the precision known. Allowed reporting precisions are YYYY, YYYYMM, YYYYMMDD, and YYYYMMDDHHMM.
    SWC_DATE_END
    Required
    YYYYMMDDHHMMEnd date of Soil water content measurement
    End date of a soil moisure measurement campaign or end date of a temporal average. Please report the date at the precision known. Allowed reporting precisions are YYYY, YYYYMM, YYYYMMDD, and YYYYMMDDHHMM.
    SWC_DATE_UNC
    Optional
    daysUncertainty in the Date(s) of Soil water content measurement
    SWC_COMMENT
    Optional
    free textSoil water content comments

    BADM Examples

    Choose a variable marked with to show examples of how to submit and interpret these BADM. See BADM Basics for more details.

    Combinations of variables must be unique. Read more: .

    Required Variable
    Optional Variable
    Combinations
    Examples
    Soil Water Content
  • SWC
  • SWC_UNIT
  • SWC_STATISTIC
  • SWC_STATISTIC_METHOD
  • SWC_STATISTIC_NUMBER
  • SWC_PROFILE_ZERO_REF
  • SWC_PROFILE_MIN
  • SWC_PROFILE_MAX
  • SWC_HORIZON
  • SWC_APPROACH
  • SWC_DATE
  • SWC_DATE_START
  • SWC_DATE_END
  • SWC_DATE_UNC
  • SWC_COMMENT
  • Click a variable marked with to see examples.
    No example currently available

    STATISTIC Variables

    Many BADM groups have a required and several optional STATISTIC variables. Specific examples of their use are given after an overview the variables basics.

    STATISTIC Basics

    BADM typically describe site-level descriptions and observations. The STATISTIC variables allow for full characterization of the reported information if desired. BADM groups, such as canopy height, LAI, soil chemistry, phenology, and biomass, contain the following STATISTIC variables:

    var_STATISTIC
    Required
    The type of value reported.

    Options:
    Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles
    Standard Deviation, Measurement Uncertainty
    Single observation

    var_STATISTIC_METHOD
    Optional
    The method of aggregation used to generate the statistic.

    Options:
    Aggregate of individual observations
    The statistic is aggregated from individual observations located within the site. Observations may be grouped into sample areas (e.g., plots) within the site but those groupings are ignored.

    Statistics generated by this approach may represent spatial characteristics of the measurement within the site (e.g., spatial heterogeneity) and/or characteristics due to other factors (e.g., population variability).

    Aggregate of sample aggregates
    The statistic is aggregated from aggregated individual observations located in sample areas within the site. For example, individual observations are made in 5 sample plots within a site. “Aggregate of sample aggregates” is used if a plot statistic (e.g., Mean) is first calculated, and then the plot values are aggregated to calculate the site statistic.

    Statistics generated by this approach are often used to highlight the spatial characteristics within the site (i.e., the spatial heterogeneity of measurement within the site).

    Expert estimate
    Estimate made by expert familiar with site

    See the Examples for more details.

    var_STATISTIC_NUMBER
    Optional
    The number of observations used in calculating the statistic.

    STATISTIC Examples

    Example 1: DBH calculated from a single sampling area
    Example 2: DBH calculated from 8 plots
    Example 3: DBH calculated from randomly selected trees within the site
    Example 4: Biomass calculated from 8 plots each with 5 sub-plots
    Example 5: Soil carbon calculated from replicate samples at 10 locations

    Example 1: DBH calculated from a single sampling area


    For DBH observations of individual trees in a single sample area at the site:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of individual observations
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = # of individual samples

    * Minimum, Maximum, and Percentiles should only be calculated if the sample size is adequately large.

    Example 2: DBH calculated from 8 plots


    For DBH observations of individual trees in 8 sample plots at the site:

    If the individual DBH observations are first aggregated at the plot level and then the plot values are are used to calculate the site-level STATISTICs to highlight spatial variability:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of sample aggregates
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = 8

    If the individual DBH observations are aggregated across all plots to calculate the site-level STATISTIC:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of individual observations
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = # of individual samples

    * Minimum, Maximum, and Percentiles should only be calculated if the sample size is adequately large.

    Example 3: DBH calculated from randomly selected trees within the site


    For DBH observations of individual trees randomly selected at the site:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of individual observations
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = # of individual samples

    * Minimum, Maximum, and Percentiles should only be calculated if the sample size is adequately large.

    Example 4: Biomass calculated from 8 plots each with 5 sub-plots


    For Biomass observations collected from 5 sub-plots located in each of 8 sample plots at the site:

    In many cases, the sub-plot biomass observations are first aggregated at the plot level. Then the plot values are are used to calculate the site-level STATISTICs:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of sample aggregates
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = 8

    If pseudo-replication or spatial autocorrelation is not an issue, the sub-plot observations may be aggregated across all plots to calculate the site-level STATISTIC:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of individual observations
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = 40

    * Minimum, Maximum, and Percentiles should only be calculated if the sample size is adequately large.

    Example 5: Soil carbon calculated from replicate samples at 10 locations


    For replicate soil carbon observations at 10 randomly-selected points within the site:

    To calculate Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, and Standard Deviation, the replicates at each location should first be averaged. Then the average values at each location can be used to calculate the STATISTIC:

    STATISTIC* = Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Percentiles, or Standard Deviation
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of sample aggregates
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = 10

    * Minimum, Maximum, and Percentiles should only be calculated if the sample size is adequately large.

    The average difference between the replicates can be used to estimate the Measurement Uncertainty:

    STATISTIC = Measurement Uncertainty
    STATISTIC_METHOD = Aggregate of individual observations
    STATISTIC_NUMBER = 10

    DATE Variables

    Many groups have several DATE Variables that can be used to describe the time period that the metadata or ancillary data represents.

    Dates should be entered at the precision known and most suitable to the observation. Supported precision include year, month, day, and minute in ISO formats: YYYY, YYYYMM, YYYYMMDD, YYYYMMDDHHMM.

    DATE or DATE_START / DATE_END

    Either a single DATE or a DATE_START / DATE_END pair is required. Do not enter both for the same observation.

    • Use DATE when the observation represents a single point in time. Typical resolutions used are a year, month, or day: YYYY, YYYYMM, YYYYMMDD.
    • Use DATE_START / DATE_END when the observation represents a period of time. Start and end dates are often used when observations are collected as part of a campaign. Typically resolution is reported with day (YYYYMMDD), but month is also common (YYYYMM).

    Notes:

    1. Do not enter DATE and DATE_START for the same observation. See “Mutually-exclusive variables cannot be submitted together” on BADM Basics: Key Concepts.
    2. Within a BADM group (e.g., HEIGHTC), different observations cannot be reported for the same DATE and DATE_START. See “Rules for unique variable combinations Ⓒ” on BADM Basics: Key Concepts.
    3. DATE_END must be reported if DATE_START is reported.

    DATE_UNC

    Uncertainty in the DATE or DATE_START / DATE_END is an optional variable that can also be reported.

    Date uncertainty is most commonly reported when the single DATE variable is used.

    Report a date uncertainty that is commensurate with the DATE or DATE_START / DATE_END reported. For example if a day is reported for the DATE, date uncertainty should be on the order of days rather than months or years. If a year is reported for the DATE, date uncertainty should be greater than a year.

    Customize and Download CSV for BADM Submission

    After selecting your desired variables, download the customized CSV file for submission of BADM. For additional submission details, see BADM Submission Instructions. See BADM Basics for general BADM details.

    Multiple entries of this BADM group can be reported per site. However, combinations of variables must be unique. Read more: . See BADM Basics for more details.

    Required Variable
    Optional Variable
    Combinations
    Examples
    Open/Close
    Select
  • Soil Water Content
    Required Optional
    SWC
    SWC_STATISTIC
    SWC_UNIT
    SWC_DATE OR
  • SWC_DATE_START
  • SWC_DATE_END
  • Both
    SWC_STATISTIC_METHOD
    SWC_STATISTIC_NUMBER
  • SWC_PROFILE_ZERO_REF
  • SWC_PROFILE_MIN
  • SWC_PROFILE_MAX
  • SWC_HORIZON
    SWC_APPROACH
    SWC_DATE_UNC
    SWC_COMMENT
  • Submit completed CSV file at Upload Data using the BADM option (login required).