Spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture based on multifractal analysis

Based on the experimental data collected from 2002 to 2010 in Jilin province, we performed multifractal analysis to investigate the spatial variability of soil moisture during 9 years from 2002 to 2010 and about 60 days from April 21 to June 21 in 2010, and analyzed the relationship between soil moisture and precipitation. The results showed that the soil moisture was multifractal. It was intermediate variability in the soil sample. From 2002 to 2010, the spatial variation of soil moisture was charactered by long distance in 2004, 2006, and 2009 and short distance in 2002, 2003, and 2008. The spatial variation of soil moisture was charactered by long distance from April 21 to May 11 and late June. It was charactered by short distance from May 11 to June 21. From April 11 to July 1, 2010, the spatial variation of soil moisture was mainly affected by the spatial variation of precipitation. From 2002 to 2010, the spatial variation of soil moisture was mainly affected by precipitation in 2006, 2009, and 2010. The spatial variation of precipitation had little effect on soil moisture during 2002 to 2005 and 2007 to 2008. This study analyzed the multifractal characteristic of soil moisture from the perspective of water resources divisions, which can provide references for soil water resources evaluation and water resources allocation.