Impact of soil erosion on production in cropping systems .I. Development and validation of a simulation model

Littleboy, M.; Silburn, D. M.; Freebairn, D. M.; Woodruff, David R.; Hammer, Graeme; Leslie, J. K.

doi:10.1071/sr9920757

Cited by 166 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The detailed and long-term dataset from this study make it ideal for use in the calibration and validation of resource process and productivity models such as PERFECT (Littleboy et al 1992), APSIM (McCown et al 1996), and Howleaky? (McClymont et al 2006).…”

Section: Unanticipated Application Of Long-term Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Brigalow Catchment Study: I. Overview of a 40-year study of the effects of land clearing in the brigalow bioregion of Australia

Cowie¹,

Thornton²,

Radford³

2007

Soil Res.

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Abstract. This paper describes a long-term, paired-catchment study, its broad findings, and considerations for future resource management of brigalow lands in north-eastern Australia. The Brigalow Catchment Study (BCS) commenced in 1965 with a pre-clearing calibration phase of 17 years to define the hydrology of 3 adjoining catchments (12-17 ha). After 2 catchments were cleared in 1982, 3 land uses (brigalow forest Acacia harpophylla, cropping, and grazed pasture) were monitored for water balance, resource condition and productivity, providing information for scientific understanding and resource management of the major land uses of the brigalow bioregion.In addition, this paper draws upon several project reviews to highlight the value of the BCS as an 'outdoor laboratory', its data resource, and to reflect on the study's scientific rigor to support present and future value. An assessment of the BCS against national and international attributes of best practice for long-term studies showed the study to rate highly in aspects of design, implementation, monitoring, and data management, and moderately in formal publication, strategic management, and networking. The literature shows that Brigalow Catchment Study is the longest paired-catchment study in Australia, and continues to sample the interactions between climate, soils, water, land use, and management.Finally, this paper provides the context for component-specific papers on changes in hydrology, productivity, and salt balance. Results from the study to date include: a doubling of runoff after clearing, a reduction in wheat yield by more than 60% over 20 years, a halving of pasture availability 3 years after clearing, a decline in cattle liveweight gain of 4 kg/ha.year over an 8-year period with a constant stocking rate, and the leaching of 60% of the root-zone (0-1.5 m) chloride after clearing for cropping. Unanticipated applications of the data from the study include: (i) a crucial set of soil samples for calibration of the RothC soil carbon model used to estimate Australia's soil carbon emissions; and (ii) estimates of deep drainage as a basis for salinity risk assessment in the region.

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Section: Unanticipated Application Of Long-term Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Brigalow Catchment Study: I. Overview of a 40-year study of the effects of land clearing in the brigalow bioregion of Australia

Cowie¹,

Thornton²,

Radford³

2007

Soil Res.

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“…The lupin module has been based on the APSIM-Legume template described by Robertson et al (2002a). The soil water, soil nitrogen (N), and residue modules have evolved from the experience in Australia with the CERES models (Jones and Kiniry 1986) and the PERFECT model (Littleboy et al 1992), and are described by Probert et al (1995Probert et al ( , 1998. These 3 modules have been extensively tested in south-western Australia in conjunction with the APSIM-Wheat (Asseng et al 1998) and APSIM-Canola (Farré et al 2002) modules.…”

Section: Model Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulating lupin development, growth, and yield in a Mediterranean environment

Farré

Robertson

Asseng

et al. 2004

Aust. J. Agric. Res.

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Abstract. Simulation of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) production would be a useful tool for assessing agronomic and management options for the crop. This paper reports on the development and testing of a model of lupin development and growth, designed for use in the cropping systems simulator, APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems Simulator). Parameters describing leaf area expansion, phenology, radiation interception, biomass accumulation and partitioning, water use, and nitrogen accumulation were obtained from the literature or derived from field experiments. The model was developed and tested using data from experiments including different locations, cultivars, sowing dates, soil types, and water supplies. Flowering dates ranged from 71 to 109 days after sowing and were predicted by the model with a root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 4-5 days. Observed grain yields ranged from 0.5 to 2.7 t/ha and were simulated by the model with a RMSD of 0.5 t/ha. Simulation of a waterlogging effect on photosynthesis improved the model performance for leaf area index (LAI), biomass, and yield. The effect of variable rainfall in Western Australia and sowing date on yield was analysed using the model and historical weather data. Yield reductions were found with delay in sowing, particularly in water-limited environments. The model can be used for assessing some agronomic and management options and quantifying potential yields for specific locations, soil types, and sowing dates in Western Australia.

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“…This study used the SoilWat2 module with APSIM, a "cascading bucket" model that is applicable to both Vertosols and the rigid soils of the Liverpool Plains (Ringrose-Voase et al, 2003). The model was developed from the CERES (Jones and Kiniry, 1986) and PERFECT models (Littleboy et al, 1992). Water redistribution in the profile is calculated by allowing a fraction of the drainable water in each layer to drain to the next layer each day (Jones and Kiniry, 1986).…”

Section: Deep Drainage Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of deep drainage through saline clay for groundwater recharge and sustainable cropping in a semi-arid catchment, Australia

Timms

Young

Huth

2012

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. The magnitude and timing of deep drainage and salt leaching through clay soils is a critical issue for dryland agriculture in semi-arid regions (<500 mm yr −1 rainfall, potential evapotranspiration >2000 mm yr −1 ) such as parts of Australia's Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). In this rare study, hydrogeological measurements and estimations of the historic water balance of crops grown on overlying Grey Vertosols were combined to estimate the contribution of deep drainage below crop roots to recharge and salinization of shallow groundwater. Soil sampling at two sites on the alluvial flood plain of the Lower Namoi catchment revealed significant peaks in chloride concentrations at 0.8-1.2 m depth under perennial vegetation and at 2.0-2.5 m depth under continuous cropping indicating deep drainage and salt leaching since conversion to cropping. Total salt loads of 91-229 t ha −1 NaCl equivalent were measured for perennial vegetation and cropping, with salinity to ≥10 m depth that was not detected by shallow soil surveys. Groundwater salinity varied spatially from 910 to 2430 mS m −1 at 21 to 37 m depth (N = 5), whereas deeper groundwater was less saline (290 mS m −1 ) with use restricted to livestock and rural domestic supplies in this area. The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) software package predicted deep drainage of 3.3-9.5 mm yr −1 (0.7-2.1 % rainfall) based on site records of grain yields, rainfall, salt leaching and soil properties. Predicted deep drainage was highly episodic, dependent on rainfall and antecedent soil water content, and over a 39 yr period was restricted mainly to the record wet winter of 1998. During the study period, groundwater levels were unresponsive to major rainfall events (70 and 190 mm total), and most piezometers at about 18 m depth remained dry. In this area, at this time, recharge appears to be negligible due to low rainfall and large potential evapotranspiration, transient hydrological conditions after changes in land use and a thick clay dominated vadose zone. This is in contrast to regional groundwater modelling that assumes annual recharge of 0.5 % of rainfall. Importantly, it was found that leaching from episodic deep drainage could not cause discharge of saline groundwater in the area, since the water table was several meters below the incised river bed.

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Impact of soil erosion on production in cropping systems .I. Development and validation of a simulation model

Cited by 166 publications

References 19 publications

The Brigalow Catchment Study: I. Overview of a 40-year study of the effects of land clearing in the brigalow bioregion of Australia

The Brigalow Catchment Study: I. Overview of a 40-year study of the effects of land clearing in the brigalow bioregion of Australia

Simulating lupin development, growth, and yield in a Mediterranean environment

Implications of deep drainage through saline clay for groundwater recharge and sustainable cropping in a semi-arid catchment, Australia

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