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The balance between precipitation and evapotranspiration (ET) has direct effect on vegetation, and any change in its structure and composition can influence it. The aim of this study is to determine experimentally the daily evapotranspiration (ET) of the invasive species, Hedychium coronarium, and to compare with a group of four native species of the riparian forest. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with three different treatments: (1) only the invasive species; (2) only native species; and (3) a mixture of invasive and native species. In each lysimeter, pressure transducers recorded the water level at every 15 min along 14 months. Daily ET was calculated by the method of Gribovszki et al. (2008) and varied according to the treatment, indicating that different species (invasive or native) use the water differently. The maximum accumulated daily ET occurred for mixture treatment (2540.16 mm), while the treatment with the invasive plant presented the lowest value (2172.53 mm). H. coronarium, in monodominant stands, can reduce evapotranspiration on invaded areas and increase it when immersed in the riparian forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated soil moisture systems are commonly used in precision agriculture. Using low-cost sensors, the spatial extension can be maximized, but the accuracy might be reduced. In this paper, we address the trade-off between cost and accuracy comparing low-cost and commercial soil moisture sensors. The analysis is based on the capacitive sensor SKU:SEN0193 tested under lab and field conditions. In addition to individual calibration, two simplified calibration techniques are proposed: universal calibration, based on all 63 sensors, and a single-point calibration using the sensor response in dry soil. During the second stage of testing, the sensors were coupled to a low-cost monitoring station and installed in the field. The sensors were capable of measuring daily and seasonal oscillations in soil moisture resulting from solar radiation and precipitation. The low-cost sensor performance was compared to commercial sensors based on five variables: (1) cost, (2) accuracy, (3) qualified labor demand, (4) sample volume, and (5) life expectancy. Commercial sensors provide single-point information with high reliability but at a high acquisition cost, while low-cost sensors can be acquired in larger numbers at a lower cost, allowing for more detailed spatial and temporal observations, but with medium accuracy. The use of SKU sensors is then indicated for short-term and limited-budget projects in which high accuracy of the collected data is not required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the hydrologic performance of conventional and low-impact development (LID) stormwater approaches when implemented as retrofit measures in a highly urbanised catchment (10.23 km2). A hydrologic-hydrodynamic model was proposed to simulate different implementation scenarios. Rainfall data and downstream water level observations between 01/2016 and 02/2019 were used to calibrate and validate (0.77 ≤ NSE ≤ 0.97) the model for the current situation. The simulation of stormwater control, as indicated in the municipal regulation, involving on-site retention tanks at a lot scale, led to peak flow reductions of 5% for a 10-year design storm event. When the number of dwelling owners subjected to comply with the control measures was increased, a peak flow reduction of 18% for the same event was reached. Modelling tools can guide policy and rule-making processes from a catchment management perspective, supporting the evaluation and improvement of strategies adopted in urban stormwater management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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