Figure 1. (above) The conceptual model of 'SAMS', Shelterbelt Agroforestry Modeling System. C. Mize, G. Horvath.
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Figure 1. (above) The conceptual model of 'SAMS', Shelterbelt Agroforestry Modeling System. C. Mize, G. Horvath.
Application has been made to the Natural Resource Initiative (NRI) funding program of the USDA. The proposal is a renewal of a currently funded project, Modeling a Shelterbelt Agroforestry System (#96-35209-3892).
Previous shelterbelt research has
also been conducted under the support of the Leopold Center for Sustainable
Agriculture (Projects: #93-04, #97-53 and #98-26) as well as another previous
NRI project 'The development of SAMS' (#96-35108-3892).
The goals for this project are to
create a personal computer (PC) version of the Shelterbelt Agroforestry
Modeling System (SAMS) that will simulate corn and soybean production across
an entire sheltered field for 10 types of shelterbelts and to identify
situations in which these types of shelterbelts are economically viable
in the Corn Belt (Nebraska to Ohio). Specific objectives for this proposal
are:
1) Develop the capability to simulate wind speed and temperature across a sheltered field for 10 types of shelterbelts,These objectives will be achieved by incorporating changes (new shelterbelt structural measurements and modules to estimate temperature and humidity) into the micro-meteorological model used in SAMS and evaluating the impact on the model's ability to predict wind speed, temperature and humidity across an entire sheltered field with data from five states.2) Evaluate the capability of SAMS to predict yield of sheltered fields in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin,
3) Develop a version of SAMS that an individual with some training can run on a PC,
4) Develop cost-effectiveness curves for the 10 types of shelterbelts and assess their net benefits to crop enhancement, reduced wind erosion, wildlife, and carbon storage, and
5) Develop effective outreach materials to identify situations in which shelterbelts would be profitable and for use in the NRCS's shelterbelt
courses.
All models and data files needed to predict corn and soybean yield on a sheltered field will be developed and incorporated into a PC based program that will allow users to predict site-specific yield estimates and do appropriate economic analyses.
SAMS will be used to develop cost-effectiveness curves for the 10 types of shelterbelts and to assess the net benefits associated with those shelterbelts.
Effective outreach materials will be prepared from results of the project.
SAMS could be expanded to evaluate benefits and costs of growing most of the world's major agricultural crops in sheltered fields.
The development of a model capable
of simulating the production corn, soybeans, and other crops could help
answer numerous questions concerning the economic viability and environmental
effects of shelterbelts through out the United States and other countries.