Modeling Soil–Atmosphere Interactions to Support Sustainable Soil Management and Agricultural Resilience in Temperate Europe Using the SiSPAT Model

Abdulaziz Alharbi () and Mohamed Ghonimy
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Abdulaziz Alharbi: Department of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Agriculture and Food, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Ghonimy: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Food, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-28

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the SiSPAT model in simulating surface energy balance components and soil hydrothermal dynamics under temperate oceanic climate conditions, focusing on sparsely vegetated bare soils commonly found in transitional agroecosystems. The model was validated using high-resolution field data from the United Kingdom, including measurements of net radiation, soil heat flux, latent and sensible heat fluxes, and soil temperature and moisture at multiple depths. Results indicated that SiSPAT effectively reproduced the magnitude and diurnal variations in net radiation, soil heat flux, and subsurface thermal and moisture conditions, with overall agreement exceeding 90% in most cases. Minor underestimations (~10%) were observed for midday latent and sensible heat fluxes, while slight overestimations occurred in topsoil moisture during dry periods—remaining within acceptable simulation limits. These outcomes demonstrate the model’s capability to simulate land–atmosphere interactions under variable surface conditions and moderate humidity. The novelty of this study lies in extending the application of SiSPAT to temperate oceanic regions with partially vegetated soils—an underrepresented context—emphasizing its potential as a decision support tool for sustainable soil management, irrigation planning, and climate-resilient land use strategies in temperate regions with climatic and soil conditions similar to those represented in this study.

Keywords: modeling; energy balance; moisture; soil; environmental management; SiSPAT (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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