A gis-numerical modeling approach to identify regions with suitable water resources for a dual crop rotation

摘要

A GIS and numerical moerical modeling approach to evaluate the water resources availability for a year-around forage production sytem is proposed for the Southerm Great Plains (SGP). The GIS part of the approach identifies potentially suitable areas within the SGP based on climatic, physiographic and agricultural characteristics. Each of the GIS coverages is evaluated individually for suitability, and a final overlay analysis inentifies those regions that are compatible for all GIS coverages. The subsequent numerical modeling part of the approach establishes the annual and seasonal soil water budget constraints for the forage production system in the regions identified by the GIS analysis. The soil water recharge, storage and losses are evaluated to establish the limits of water availability for the crop rotation. The study identifies a method to provide regional soil water estiamtes and is not intended for site specific estiamtion of crop productivity.