Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Soil Management and Sugarbeet Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #374731
Research Project: Management Practices for Long Term Productivity of Great Plains Agriculture

Location: Soil Management and Sugarbeet Research

Title: Recent advances in AgCROS, a network of networks that could contribute to assessments of conservation practices across the USA and internationally

Author
item Delgado, Jorge
item Vandenberg, Bruce
item D Adamo, Robert
item Marquez, Roger
item Neer, Donna
item Kaplan, Nicole
item Carter, Jennifer
item Wilson, Greg
item ZOCH, GRANT - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item MESSINGER, LINDSEY - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item Nezat, Caryn
item STROM, THADD - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item Buser, Michael

Submitted to: Soil and Water Conservation Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/27/2020
Publication Date: 7/27/2020
Citation: Delgado, J.A., Vandenberg, B.C., D'Adamo, R.E., Marquez, R.D., Neer, D.L., Kaplan, N.E., Carter, J.D., Wilson, G.J., Zoch, G., Messinger, L., Nezat, C.J., Strom, T., Buser, M.D. 2020. Recent advances in AgCROS, a network of networks that could contribute to assessments of conservation practices across the USA and internationally [abstract]. Soil and Water Conservation Society 75th International Annual Conference, July 27-29, 2020. Virtual event. Abstract Book.

Interpretive Summary: n/a

Technical Abstract: The USDA-ARS network of networks known as the Agricultural Collaborative Research Outcomes System (AgCROS) connects data across GRACEnet, REAP, NUOnet, AgAR, SHAnet, LTAR, and CEAP, and facilitates the sharing of information across these networks. For the first time, AgCROS includes datasets from international cooperators (e.g., INIAP, located in Ecuador). The inclusion of data from international sites has the potential to provide information that could be used to assess practices across the USA and internationally. Additionally, we have mapped data from previously published datasets in CEAP (STEWARDS) to AgCROS and developed an inventory of variables in the network considering the descriptions of the variables and the measurement units, and even bringing in information about the methods used to measure the variables. By mapping common data variables, it is possible to import thousands of records to the same platform, allowing users to access information by specific network or methods, and connect data across networks. We also added for the first time precision farming/precision conservation data into AgCROS. There are hundreds of thousands of records in AgCROS representing a wide variety of information including nutrient management, greenhouse gases, yields, weather, and soil chemical and physical parameters, which are essential to interpreting impact of various conservation practices. This USDA-ARS network of networks is an open-access resource available to researchers, students, nutrient managers, and conservationists nationally and internationally. Due to the breadth of data available, AgCROS has the potential to aid in the calibration and validation of models and facilitate national assessments, and this potential continues to increase as AgCROS grows. With the ongoing expansion of this network of networks, opportunities may arise to use AgCROS with machine learning and artificial intelligence to help in nutrient management and conservation efforts.