A GIS-based modeling approach for implementation of sustainable farm management practices

Few agricultural producers utilize the true analytical power of GIS and computer simulation models, partly because the loose linkages developed to-date between GIS and most public-domain modeling software are extremely cumbersome to use. The integrated system (EPIC-View) developed in the study allows the integration of a comprehensive hydrologic-crop management model (EPIC) with a desktop GIS to function as a planning tool aimed at implementing sustainable farm management practices. The use of GIS makes possible the integration of diverse spatial data into a comprehensive spatial database. EPIC-View is applied to simulate nitrogen (N) dynamics under conventional and minimum tillage conditions of a field located in Caddo County, Oklahoma. In general, the overall N balance obtained under minimum tillage is better than the balance obtained under conventional tillage over a 5-year model run. Unexplained losses of N averaged 9.55% and 4.2% of the gain in N under conventional and minimum tillage respectively. The integrated modeling system holds immense potential as a farm management tool. Various components of a sustainable agricultural system including irrigation management, crop management, soil management, and pest management, can be efficiently managed. This approach could make farms more economically viable and ecologically sound. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.