Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Tucson, Arizona » SWRC » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #108558
Title: INTEGRATED INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR KNOWLEDGE-BASED RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, AND TRANSFER. 1265

Author
item Lane, Leonard
item Nichols, Mary
item FOX, H. - NRCS
item Levick, Lainie
item Kidwell, Mary
item Weltz, Mark

Submitted to: Multiple Objective Decision Support Systems for Land, Water, and Environment
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Traditional methods of technology transfer are being replaced with new ones that are based on information technology. Integrated information systems are required to develop advanced knowledge-based systems and decision tools to bring the best science, data and knowledge to bear on solving problems in natural resource management. One problem that is being addressed is rangeland health. A Prototype Rangeland Health Expert System has been developed at the USDA-ARS Southwest Watershed Research Center in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Components of this Internet-based expert system include integrated databases, a hillslope erosion and sediment yield simulation model, knowledge bases, and graphical display functions. The Prototype Rangeland Health Expert System is applicable to the semiarid Southwestern USA and similar regions, focuses on soil and site stability, and applies to processes at the hillslope scale. The flexibility inherent in the system allows for future expansion beyond these bounds.

Technical Abstract: Traditional methods of technology transfer are being replaced with new ones that are based on information technology. Integrated information systems are required to develop advanced knowledge-based systems and decision tools to bring the best science, data and knowledge to bear on solving problems in natural resource management. A Prototype Rangeland Health Expert System mhas been developed at the USDA-ARS Southwest Watershed Research Center in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Components of this Internet-based expert system include integrated databases, a hillslope erosion and sediment yield simulation model, knowledge bases, and graphical display functions. The Prototype Rangeland Health Expert System is applicable to the semiarid Southwestern USA and similar regions, focuses on soil and site stability, and applies to processes at the hillslope scale. The flexibility inherent in the system allows for future expansion beyond these bounds.