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Title: A COMMON PLANT GROWTH MODEL FOR WEPP AND WEPS

Author
item RETTA, A - KASAS STATE UNIVERSITY
item DEER-ASCOUGH, L. - KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
item Wagner, Larry
item Flanagan, Dennis
item Armbrust, Dean

Submitted to: Soil Erosion for 21st Century Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/3/2001
Publication Date: 1/3/2001
Citation: In: J.C. AscoughII and D.C. Flanagan, Proc. Int. Symp. 3-5 January 2001, Honolulu, HI, St. Joseph, MI. pp 380-383.

Interpretive Summary: Process-based models for water erosion (WEPP) and wind erosion (WEPS) have developed recently and are designed to replace older models currently in use. Both models simulate many of the processes that affect both water and wind erosion such as the weather and field conditions, including biomass growth, biomass decomposition, hydrology, and management practices on a daily basis. The Natural Resource Conservation Serivce of USDA and other 'user' agencies have requested that WEPP and WEPS be combined into a single model that simulates both wind and water erosion. The Agricultural Research Service is undertaking that task. A first step towards a single water and wind erosion model can be taken by developing a common plant growth model that meets the needs of WEPP and WEPS. A framework for developing a common WEPP/WEPS plant growth model is presented. Some of the advantages of a single model compared to using two independent models include: easier communication of simulation results to clients, fewer computer code and database to maintain, and lower training cost for user agencies.

Technical Abstract: Process-based models for water erosion (WEPP) and wind erosion (WEPS) have been developed recently and are designed to replace older models currently in use. Both models simulate weather and field conditions, including biomass growth, biomass decomposition, hydrology, and management practices on a daily basis. The Natural Resource Conservation Service of USDA and other 'user' agencies have requested WEPP and WEPS be combined into a sing model that simulates both wind and water erosion. The Agricultural Research Service is undertaking that task. Some of the advantages postulated for a single model compared to using two independent models include: easier communication of simulation results to clients, fewer computer code and databases to maintain, and lower training costs for user agencies. A first step towards a single water and wind erosion model can be taken by developing a common plant growth model that meets the needs of WEPP and WEPS. A framework for developing a common WEPP/WEPS plant growth model is presented. Keywords: WEPP, WEPS, Plant growth, Water erosion, Wind erosion, LAI, SAI.