Reducing Farm Field Runoff Application: A Systematic Tool for Analyzing Resources David Healy and Michael Winchell 2016 Esri User Conference: Mapping the Future of Agriculture Session June 29, 2016 1
Overview History and Background APEX (Agriculture Policy/Environmental extenter) Model Background NRCS Systematic Tool for Analyzing Resources (STAR) STAR Walkthrough 2
Collaborative Effort Team Members Included: Environmental Modelers Conservation Planners GIS Application Developers Database Developers and Seasoned Field Scientists. 3
Why a Web-based Farm/Ranch Scale Model Conservation resource planners wanted to provide farmers/ranchers tools to help choose the best management practices for reducing farm fields/ranch pollution Using the APEX Desktop model requires skill sets not generally available. Provided a seamless workflow between running a complex mathematical model and interpreting nutrient management planning results Common Set of Up-to-Date Data Inputs Shared Backend Software and Data Field Usable 4
Application Components APEX Fortran Model ArcGIS Server Silverlight API ArcSDE Windows Server 2008 R2 x64.net 4.0 with patches/updates Silverlight Plugin IIS 7.5 with patches/updates MS SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 5
APEX (Agriculture Policy/Environmental extenter) Model Farm/Ranch Small Watershed Runoff Model Developed in and Maintained by USDA in Temple, TX and Texas A&M University Simulates: Water, sediment, nutrients, pesticide transport from fields Crop growth, biomass, yields Agronomic management: Irrigation, Drainage, Furrow dikes Buffer strips, Grass Waterways Fertilization, Pesticide applications Manure management Crop rotations 6
Existing Desktop APEX Interfaces ArcApex, i_apex, WinApex Useful for highly detailed site-specific analysis Intensive input data requirements Involves significant learning curve and model understanding i_apex 7
STAR Application Features Ability to run a complex water quality model through a streamlined user interface. It is pre-populated with built in necessary local topography, soils, and weather model inputs. Ability to simulate multiple types of best management practices and field operations schedules specific to Texas and the Northeast. Has reporting capabilities that generate comparisons between baseline and alternative management practices. Uses farm specific field conditions, historical and current agronomic practices, and BMPs that can be assessed. 8
STAR: Vermont Example Walkthrough 9
STAR: Vermont Example Walkthrough Create a New Conservation Plan 2. Choose Create New Conservation Plan 1. Use the Find Address Tool to locate the farm field. 3. Create a new plan and give it a new name 10
STAR: Vermont Example Walkthrough Draw or Import Field Boundaries 2. Trace the field boundary and double click to finish 1. Select New PLU 3. Choose Save 11
STAR: Vermont Example Walkthrough Create Baseline Assessment 12
STAR: Vemont Example Walkthrough Select an Operation Schedule 2. Filter the list of operation schedules with a key word 3. Review the operations then move onto customizing 1. Double click the field name to open the operation schedule editor 13
STAR: Vermont Example Walkthrough Edit Operations Modify any of the listed operations by double clicking Add new operations by selecting the appropriate tab 14
STAR: Vermont Example Walkthrough Soils Processing and Editing The predominant soil on the field is predeterminted, but can be edited with field specific inputs. To execute APEX select Run APEX after completing soils editing 15
STAR: Vermont Example Walkthrough Executing APEX While the data is being prepared for the APEX run and APEX is executing the status will be updated. Once APEX finishes executing, you have the option of downloading the source files 16
STAR: Vermont Example Walkthrough Add a Filter Strip for an Alternative Assessment To add a BMP, double click the field name on the Field Practice Definition panel. 1. Select filter strip from the list and then Add to Field 3. Double click the practice to add it to the field 2. The tool will return practice specific guidance. 4. Specify the width of the filter strip 17
STAR: Vermont Example Walkthrough Drawing the Filter Strip A line is displayed based on the width entered. Trace the line at the desired location to create the filter strip. The filter is split from the corn field as a new polygon. Specify the drainage for the field and the filter strip. 18
STAR: Vermont Example Walkthrough APEX is Executed for Each Alternative and the Last Step is Running the Report to Compare the Baseline and Alternative Assessments From the report panel, choose 1 or more APEX parameters and the assessments to include in the report. Compare results for baseline and alternative assessments Sediment loss P and N loss Yield difference 19
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What s Next Additional Validation Update using JavaScript API Enhanced Data Improvements, Field Specific P-Index Stewardship for Farmers to Certify Best Practices Combine with Carbon Trading App Port to Non-NRCS Users Support TMDL Efforts in Tracking Farm Field Runoff Improvements 21
Summary The APEX model is designed for farm-scale assessments that can incorporate field specific agronomic practices and BMP information to assess farm nutrient loads and water quality metrics STAR application provides a web interface that greatly streamlines and simplifies the setup and running of APEX simulations STAR allows for site specific assessments populated by best available soils and topographic datasets, and farm specific information. Reports from STAR can allow comparison of current condition against proposed future conservation practices. STAR will be useful for NRCS to target fields that can provide the greatest benefits for conservation resources and comply with regulations. 22
Project Team and Sponsors David Healy, Michael Winchell, Barbara Patterson, Nick Floersch, and Naresh Pai, Stone Environmental, Inc. Raghavan Srinivasan, Spatial Sciences Laboratory, Texas A&M University, Temple TX Evelyn Steglich and Jimmy Williams, Blackland Research and Extension Center, NRCS, Temple TX Kip Potter, NRCS, Vermont USDA ARS Texas NRCS 23
Thank you. For more information, contact: mwinchell@stone-env.com 24