MicroLEIS DSS

Abstract

The main focus of this chapter is that using soil type information in decision making is at the heart for sustainable use and management of agricultural land. The MicroLEIS decision support system (DSS) is based on the multifunctional evaluation of biophysical soil quality, using basically input data collected in standard soil inventories, and with particular reference to the peculiarities of the Mediterranean region. Its design philosophy is a toolkit approach, integrating many software instruments: databases, statistic models, expert systems, neural networks, Web and GIS applications, and other information technologies. As a case study applying MicroLEIS DSS to Cordoba Province (Spain), soil specific strategies to maximize land productivity and to prevent land degradation are predicted within two major topics: i) strategies related to land use planning at a regional scale, and ii) strategies related to soil management planning at a farm level. This DSS has proved to be an appropriate methodology for converting knowledge on land use and management systems, as estimated by research scientists, into information that is readily comprehensible to policy makers and farmers.

Soil Capability and Suitability Assessment of Tushka Area, Egypt by Using Different Programs (Asle, Microleis and Modified Storie Index)

“…• Modified Storie Index Rating, [35]: The calculation was run and marked using Visual Basic for application under Microsoft Excel [36], • MicroLEIS [37], Internet-based program, and • Applied System of Land Evaluation (ASLE) program [38]. b) Land suitability classification.…”