Progress 12/01/00 to 09/30/05
Outputs
A group of web-based decision support system capabilities have been developed within this project. Improvements to these tools continue as does their application. The tools are accessible at http://danpatch.ecn.purdue.edu/~watergen/. The WWW-based watershed delineation system for Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (plus other smaller areas outside of these states) is interfaced with the L-THIA (Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment) (http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/runoff/lthianew) and SEDSPEC (Sediment and Erosion Control Planning, Design and SPECification Information and Guidance Tool) (http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/~sedspec) hydrologic/water quality decision support tools. Once a watershed is delineated, these modeling systems can be run automatically for the watershed. For other locations within the US, these modeling systems can be run with user supplied data. L-THIA assesses long term effects of land use changes on runoff and nonpoint source
(NPS) pollution. SedSpec estimates the size of engineering structures used for erosion control and estimates the costs for their implementation. SedSpec can also use information provided by users to estimate peak runoff rates. The watershed boundary, land use, hydrologic soil group and other spatial data for the watershed can be displayed in the WWW-based GIS tool. The L-THIA and SedSpec decision support tools are automatically parameterized based on the data for the watershed delineated and can be run. The watershed channel slope length and steepness are now estimated from the watershed characteristics within the GIS. The web-based NAPRA (National Agricultural Pesticide Risk Analysis) tool (http://danpatch.ecn.purdue.edu/~napra/) was used to estimate the impacts of fungicides on water quality within Indiana. If soybean rust reaches Indiana, a significant amount of fungicide that has been emergency labeled for this use will be applied. Initial estimates of the amounts of fungicides
reaching surface and shallow groundwater for eight fungicides were made and are accessible at http://danpatch.ecn.purdue.edu/~napra/fungicides/.
Impacts
The WWW-based tools have a significant base of users and extensive user feedback on these tools has been collected. The tools provide a range of capabilities for addressing hydrology and water quality issues. The tools provide capabilities useful to a range of users including researchers, students and stakeholders at local levels. The watershed delineation tool allows users with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds to quickly estimate the watershed boundary for any location of interest. Further, the watershed delineation capability greatly simplifies the use of L-THIA in examining runoff and NPS pollution from watersheds as a result of land use change. The runoff minimization component associated with L-THIA allows users to identify the minimum runoff for a proposed land use change that can be attained within a watershed. This allows users to determine how the location of a proposed land use change impacts runoff and NPS changes and might be used to identify
BMPs to attain minimum runoff and NPS pollution.
Publications
- Tang, Z., B. A. Engel, J. Choi, K. Sullivan, M. Sharif , K. J. Lim. 2004. A Web-based DSS for erosion control structure planning. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 20(5):707-714.
- Choi, J-Y, B. A. Engel, and R. Farnsworth. 2005. Web-based GIS and spatial decision support system for watershed management. Journal of Hydroinformatics 7(3):165-174.
- Tang, Z., B.A. Engel, B.C. Pijanowski, K.J. Lim. 2005. Forecasting land use change and its environmental impact at a watershed scale. Journal of Environmental Management 76(1):35-45.
- Choi, J.Y. and B.A. Engel. 2003. Real time watershed delineation system using web-GIS. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering 17(3):189-196.
- Engel, B.A., J.Y. Choi, J. Harbor, and S. Pandey. 2003. Web-based DSS for hydrologic impact evaluation of small watershed land use changes. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 39 (2003):241-249.
- Choi, J.Y., B.A. Engel, S. Muthukrishnan, and J. Harbor. 2003. GIS based long-term hydrologic impact evaluation for watershed urbanization. Journal of American Water Resources Association 39(3):623-635.
|
Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
The web-based decision support system capabilities being developed within this project were extended and tested. The primary items that have been update are described. The WWW-based GIS watershed delineation capability was extended so that it now contains data for Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/watergen/). The WWW-based watershed delineation system for these states is interfaced with the L-THIA (Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment) (http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/runoff/lthianew) and SEDSPEC (Sediment and Erosion Control Planning, Design and SPECification Information and Guidance Tool) (http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/sedspec) hydrologic/water quality decision support tools. Once a watershed is delineated, these modeling systems can be run automatically for the watershed. For other locations within the US, these modeling systems can be run with user supplied data. L-THIA assesses long term effects of land use
changes on runoff and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. SedSpec estimates the size of engineering structures used for erosion control and estimates the costs for their implementation. SedSpec can also use information provided by users to estimate peak runoff rates. The watershed boundary, land use, hydrologic soil group and other spatial data for the watershed can be displayed in the WWW-based GIS tool. The L-THIA and SedSpec decision support tools are automatically parameterized based on the data for the watershed delineated and can be run. The watershed channel slope length and steepness are now estimated from the watershed characteristics within the GIS. The L-THIA model was extended with the addition of an optimization technique that identifies the land use and soil combinations that should be urbanized to minimize runoff and NPS pollutants for a proposed land use change/urbanization. The user can also identify the proposed area to be changed to see how the proposed change impacts
runoff and NPS pollutants relative to the optimum. A new web-based tool called WHAT (Web-based Hydrologic Analysis Tool) was developed to access USGS flow data, perform baseflow separation, perform statistical analysis on the flow data and create flow plots. Users can also supply their own flow data. The tool is useful in helping with the calibration and validation of the hydrologic component of models.
Impacts
The WWW-based tools provide a range of capabilities for addressing hydrology and water quality issues. The tools provide capabilities useful to a range of users including researchers, students and stakeholders at local levels. The watershed delineation tool allows users with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds to quickly estimate the watershed boundary for any location of interest. Further, the watershed delineation capability greatly simplifies the use of L-THIA in examining runoff and NPS pollution from watersheds as a result of land use change. The runoff minimization component associated with L-THIA allows users to identify the minimum runoff for a proposed land use change that can be attained within a watershed. This allows users to determine how the location of a proposed land use change impacts runoff and NPS changes and might be used to identify BMPs to attain minimum runoff and NPS pollution. The baseflow separation tool greatly reduces the length of
time required for baseflow separation that is typically required when using flow data to calibrate and calibrate hydrologic models. This tool also provides additional capabilities useful during the calibration and validation of hydrologic models. The calibration and validation of hydrologic models is important in improving their predictive ability and in understanding how well the model is likely to perform.
Publications
- Tang, Z., B. A. Engel, J. Choi, K. Sullivan, M. Sharif , K. J. Lim. 2004. A Web-based DSS for erosion control structure planning. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 20(5):707-714.
|
Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
Web-based decision support system capabilities being developed within this project were extended and tested. The WWW-based GIS watershed delineation capability was extended so that it now contains data for Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin (http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/watergen/). The WWW-based watershed delineation system for these states was interfaced with the L-THIA (Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment) (http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/runoff/lthianew) and SEDSPEC (Sediment and Erosion Control Planning, Design and SPECification Information and Guidance Tool) (http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/sedspec) hydrologic/water quality decision support tools. Once a watershed is delineated, these modeling systems can be run automatically for the watershed. For other locations within the US, these modeling systems can be run with user supplied data. L-THIA assesses long term effects of land use changes on runoff and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. SedSpec estimates
the size of engineering structures used for erosion control and estimates the costs for their implementation. SedSpec can also use information provided by users to estimate peak runoff rates. The watershed boundary, land use, hydrologic soil group and other spatial data for the watershed can be displayed in the WWW-based GIS tool. The L-THIA and SedSpec decision support tools are automatically parameterized based on the data for the watershed delineated and can be run. An improved interface has been developed for the L-THIA model and it is accessible from the International City/County Management (ICMA) WWW page. This allows local governments ready access to L-THIA and the other WWW-based decision support tools. Extensive user feedback has been obtained on these WWW-based decision support tools.
Impacts
The WWW-based watershed delineation system allows users with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds to quickly estimate the watershed boundary for any location of interest. Unlike watershed maps that are commonly promoted, the WWW-based watershed delineation system allows estimation of a watershed boundary for any location of interest - not just for predefined locations. As a result, the user can obtain the watershed boundary and its characteristics for the specific watershed of interest. The watershed delineation capability greatly simplifies the use of the L-THIA and SedSpec hydrologic/water quality decision support tools. Feedback from users indicates that the estimates of long-term runoff and nonpoint source pollutants from L-THIA and peak runoff rates from SEDSPEC are useful to communities and other levels of local government in planning efforts, analysis of land use plans created by developers, and other efforts that protect the environment and natural
resources. The watershed delineation capabilities have proven useful for a range of users including consultants, state and local governments, and citizens. Information about the size and properties of a watershed can be obtained in minutes rather than hours, thereby facilitating more timely and more comprehensive analysis of various watershed level efforts.
Publications
- Engel, B.A., J.Y. Choi, J. Harbor, and S. Pandey. 2003. Web-based DSS for hydrologic impact evaluation of small watershed land use changes. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 39 (2003):241-249.
- Choi, J.Y., B.A. Engel, S. Muthukrishnan, and J. Harbor. 2003. GIS based long-term hydrologic impact evaluation for watershed urbanization. Journal of American Water Resources Association 39(3):623-635.
|
Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
A WWW-based GIS watershed delineation capability was developed, tested, and interfaced to two hydrologic/water quality decision support tools (http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/watergen/). A double seed array replacement watershed delineation algorithm was integrated with the MapServer WWW GIS tool. Indiana elevation data from the National Elevation Dataset (NED) was preprocessed (streams burned in, sinks filled, and flow direction computed) and incorporated in the application. The system was tested using 14 digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) areas as reference watersheds. The WWW-based watershed delineation system provided good estimates of watershed boundaries. The WWW-based watershed delineation system was interfaced with the L-THIA (Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment) (http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/runoff/) and SEDSPEC (Sediment and Erosion Control Planning, Design and SPECification Information and Guidance Tool) (http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/sedspec) hydrologic/water
quality decision support tools. L-THIA assesses long term effects of land use changes on runoff and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. SedSpec estimates the size of engineering structures used for erosion control and estimates the costs for their implementation. SedSpec can also use information provided by users to estimate peak runoff rates. To use the WWW-based systems, users zoom to a location of interest using the browser-based GIS tool. Spatial data including roads, streams, and aerial photos are available within the system to help users identify the location of interest. The outlet location is selected using the mouse to select the point on the map displayed within the WWW browser. The watershed boundary is estimated from the flow direction data. The land use and hydrologic soil group data are summarized for the watershed and areas are presented in a table. The watershed boundary, land use, hydrologic soil group and other spatial data for the watershed can be displayed in the
WWW-based GIS tool. The L-THIA and SedSpec decision support tools are automatically parameterized based on the data for the watershed delineated and can be run. User feedback has shown the utility of the enhanced decision support tools. Users are able to quickly identify the location of interest, obtain an estimate of the watershed boundary, and run the L-THIA and SedSpec decision support tools.
Impacts
The WWW-based watershed delineation system allows users with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds to quickly estimate the watershed boundary for any location of interest. Unlike watershed maps that are commonly promoted, the WWW-based watershed delineation system allows estimation of a watershed boundary for any location of interest - not just for predefined locations. As a result, the user can obtain the watershed boundary and its characteristics for the specific watershed of interest. The watershed delineation capability greatly simplifies the use of the L-THIA and SedSpec hydrologic/water quality decision support tools. Feedback from users has shown that the watershed delineation tool can allow nearly any user to obtain accurate information about a watershed. Current users of the WWW-based watershed delineation system range from students to citizens interested in environmental issues to professionals working in environmental and natural resources
protection.
Publications
- Choi, J.Y., B.A. Engel, H.W. Chung. 2002. Daily streamflow modeling and assessment based on the curve-number technique. Hydrological Processes 16:3131-3150.
|
Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
Three NPS models and decision support tools that utilize GIS and information technologies are being developed, tested, and applied in the field. These decision support tools are: -NAPRA (Pesticide and nutrient losses in runoff, sediment and to shallow groundwater) http://danpatch.ecn.purdue.edu/napra/ -L-THIA (Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment) http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/runoff/ -SEDSPEC (Sediment and Erosion Control Planning, Design and SPECification Information and Guidance Tool) http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/sedspec NAPRA The WWW-based NAPRA approach is designed to be easy to use and widely accessible through the WWW. Users describe the location of interest by selecting the appropriate soil type and weather station, and selecting the cropping management practices including those for pesticides and nutrients. Daily rainfall and temperature data for 30-50 years, soil properties, and pesticide properties are accessed from the database. This data along with that
provided in the web form is used to run the GLEAMS model. Results are provided in tables and graphs. Significant enhancements to NAPRA have recently been completed. NAPRA WWW was modified to enable users to simulate multiple pesticide applications. The National Soil Information System (NASIS) (NRCS, http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov/) data for counties in Indiana were added to the database to provide more specific soil information for the NAPRA WWW system. It provides more detailed soil information than that of State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) soil data. LTHIA The Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (LTHIA) tool was developed to assess long term effects of land use changes. Many models, including L-THIA, compute runoff using the Curve Number (CN) method, which is based on precipitation, land use, hydrologic soil group, and management practices. Recently a NPS pollution assessment module was incorporated into L-THIA, and it has been integrated with GIS for spatial data analysis. A user
describes a land use change for their location within a spreadsheet style interface. Daily rainfall data for 30-50 years is accessed from a database using the location provided by the user. The L-THIA model is run on the server and the user accesses the results in the form of tables, bar charts, graphs and pie charts. Recent enhancements to L-THIA include additional input interface options (detailed land use description inputs, impervious surface inputs, and an advanced input form that allows modification of NPS pollutant coefficients), an improved graphical output interface, additional L-THIA case studies, and a module to assist with the evaluation of best management practices (BMPs) to reduce runoff and NPS pollutants. SEDSPEC SedSpec helps a user select appropriate erosion control technology, estimates the size of engineering structures used for erosion control based on site-specific data, and estimates the costs for their implementation. SedSpec can also use information provided
by users to estimate peak runoff rates.
Impacts
The decision support tools developed in this project are being applied in the field to assist local decision makers in identifying site-specific solutions to local issues. Representative examples of the uses of these tools follow. NAPRA is being used by a water company in northern Indiana to develop wellhead protection plans to reduce the potential for pesticides and nitrates reaching their water supply. L-THIA is being used by a county Soil and Water Conservation District in central Ohio to prioritize areas for development of conservation plans. L-THIA is being used by a regional land use planning agency in the Triangle Park area of North Carolina to assist with the creation of land use plans. SEDSPEC is being used by land use managers at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina to control erosion from watersheds. Numerous others are using these Web-based decision support tools to assist with the identification of solutions to water resources and environmental issues at local
levels.
Publications
- Bhaduri, B., J. Harbor, B. Engel, M. Grove. 2000. Assessing watershed-scale, long-term hydrologic impacts of land-use change using a GIS-NPS model. Environmental Management 26(6):643-658.
|
Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/00
Outputs
Decision support system tools to estimate the effects of land uses, management and site specific characteristics on runoff and nonpoint source pollution were enhanced and validated. The NAPRA (National Agricultural Pesticide Risk Analysis) WWW tool (http://danpatch.ecn.purdue.edu/napra/SingleField/) was enhanced by incorporating GLEAMS 3.0 into the system. The accuracy of the NAPRA WWW predictions was evaluated by comparing the results with observed USGS surface and subsurface atrazine and nitrate concentrations data within the White River Basin in Indiana. The NAPRA WWW predicted results matched observed nitrate concentrations in wells and leaving watersheds reasonably well considering limitations of the NAPRA WWW system. Predicted results compared to observed atrazine concentrations in flow leaving the watersheds showed the modeling system was able to accurately estimate atrazine losses. Efforts are continuing to improve the modeling system to allow scaling to
larger watersheds. The WWW-based long-term hydrologic impact assessment (L-THIA) decision support tool (http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/runoff/) was enhanced and applied to several watersheds to evaluate the impacts of land use change (urbanization of land uses) on hydrology and nonpoint source pollutants. User feedback was the basis for enhancements to model including output and supporting documents. The model was applied to a series of watersheds within the Midwest to estimate the effects of land use change on hydrology and nonpoint source pollution.
Impacts
The NAPRA and L-THIA decision support tools help users evaluate the effects of alternative land use and management strategies on their local hydrology and water quality. These tools facilitate assessment of alternatives allowing identification of those that minimize impact on water resources.
Publications
- Lim, K.J. and B.A. Engel. 2000. Evolution and evaluation of nutrient enabled NAPRA WWW decision support system with GLEAMS 3.0. Advances in Hydro -Science and -Engineering Proceedings. Editors: Yoon, Y.N., B.H. Jun, B.H. Seoh, and G.W. Choi, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Pandey, S., J. Harbor and B. Engel. 2000. Internet Based Geographic Information Systems and Decision Support Tools. URISA, Park Ridge, IL, 36 p.
- Randhir, T.O., J.G. Lee, and B. Engel. 2000. Multiple criteria dynamic spatial optimization to manage water quality on a watershed scale. TRANS ASAE 43(2):291-299.
|
Progress 10/01/98 to 09/30/99
Outputs
WWW-based decision support systems to estimate the effects of land uses, management and site specific characteristics on hydrology and water quality were enhanced and new decision support tools created. Enhancements were made to the NAPRA (National Agricultural Pesticide Risk Analysis) WWW tool (http://danpatch.ecn.purdue.edu/napra/) to facilitate use of the tool and to improve its ability to estimate the movement of pesticides and nutrients to shallow groundwater and to surface water. The recently added nutrient component has been evaluated using observed nitrogen levels in well samples. Results indicate NAPRA is able to identify areas with elevated groundwater nitrogen levels. A new WWW-based decision support tool (http://danpatch.ecn.purdue.edu/sprawl/LTHIA) to evaluate the impacts of land use change (urbanization of land uses) on hydrology and nonpoint source pollutants has been developed. The decision support tool uses a model that was developed to examine the
long term hydrologic impact of land use changes called L-THIA (Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment). The decision support tool has been applied to several watersheds to examine the implications of urbanization on hydrology and water quality.
Impacts
The decision support tools developed allow users to evaluate the effects of alternative land use and management strategies on their local hydrology and water quality. These tools allow rapid assessment of various alternatives allowing identification of those that minimize environmental impact.
Publications
- Grove M. and Harbor J., and Engel, B, 1998. Composite versus distributed curve numbers: effects on estimates of storm runoff depths. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 34(4):1015-1023.
- Navulur, K.C., and B.A. Engel. 1998. Groundwater vulnerability assessment to nonpoint source nitrate pollution on a regional scale using GIS. Trans of ASAE 41(6):1671-1678.
- Kim, S., J. Delleur, J.K. Mitcell, B.A. Engel, and S. Walker. 1999. Simulation of runoff in agricultural watersheds with tile drainage using an extended TOPMODEL. TRANS of ASAE.
|
Progress 10/01/97 to 09/30/98
Outputs
A WWW-based decision support system that builds on the NAPRA (National Agricultural Pesticide Risk Analysis) approach was developed to examine the risk of pesticides reaching ground and surface water and to identify appropriate management strategies to protect water quality (http://danpatch.ecn.purdue.edu/napra/nutrient.html). The decision support system uses the GLEAMS (Groundwater Loading Effects of Agricultural Management Systems) model, extensive databases (weather, soil, pesticide properties and other data), and the risk concept from NAPRA. The nutrient component of GLEAMS has recently been added to the WWW NAPRA system to further extend its capabilities. To scale WWW NAPRA to areas larger than fields, a GIS component has been integrated to permit scaling to large areas. Testing of the NAPRA WWW system is being completed for a range of conditions. Tests of the nutrient component indicates the decision support system can be used to identify watersheds sensitive to
nitrate losses to surface water.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Navulur, K.C., and B.A. Engel. 1998. Groundwater vulnerability assessment to nonpoint source nitrate pollution on a regional scale using GIS. TRANS of ASAE. (In press).
- Manguerra, H.B. and B.A. Engel. 1998. Hydrologic parameterization of watersheds for runoff prediction using SWAT. American Water Resources Association Water Bulletin. (In press).
- Lim, K.J. and B.A. Engel. 1998. An extension of the national agricultural pesticide risk analysis (NAPRA) approach to include nutrients. No. 983188, ASAE, St. Jospeh, MI. 26p.
- Engel, B.A. and J. Lee. 1998. WWW-based hydrologic/water quality modeling decision support system. In: Seventh International Conference on Computers in Agriculture. F. Zazueta and J. Xin (eds.) ASAE, St. Joseph, MI. pp:359-367.
|
Progress 10/01/96 to 09/30/97
Outputs
Information systems are being used to better understand and protect natural resources. Simulations, databases and geographic information systems (GIS) were integrated to develop a decision support system to assess the risk of pesticides moving to ground and surface water. The GLEAMS (Groundwater Loading Effects of Agricultural Management Systems) model and the NAPRA (National Agricultural Pesticide Risk Analysis) risk approach were used. Java and cgi programming were used to create a WWW-based interface to the decision support system. The decision support system is being used to evaluate the risks of pesticides reaching ground and surface water within Indiana.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- MANGUERRA, H., and ENGEL, B.. 1997. Java-Based Internet/WWW Front-end for an Integrated Hydrologic and Pesticide Risk Analysis Model. Paper No. 972053. ASAE, St. Joseph, MI. 4 p.
- ENGEL, B. 1997. NAPRA Web. http://danpatch.ecn.purdue.edu/~napra/
- MANGUERRA, H., ENGEL, B., NAVULUR, K., COOPER, B., HAHN, L. and R. Singh. 1997. Nonpoint source pollution impacts on groundwater quality using vulnerability and risk assessment models. Paper No. 972195. ASAE, St. Joseph, MI. 16 p.
|
Progress 10/01/95 to 09/30/96
Outputs
Information systems including simulation, expert systems (ES) and geographic information systems (GIS) are being integrated to develop decision support systems to assist with soil erosion control and surface water quality protection. Several hydrologic/water quality models being considered for use within the decision support system are being evaluated on watersheds within the midwest US. These include the AGNPS (Agricultural NonPoint Source) pollution model, ANSWERS (Agricultural Nonpoint Source Watershed Environmental Response Simulation), and SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Technology). Tools to make the decision support system accessible via the World Wide Web are being developed. Java is being used to develop an interactive interface.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- MAMILLAPALLI, S., ENGEL, B.A. and SRINIVASAN, R. 1996. Effect of spatial variability on basin scale modeling. Proceedings of the Third International Conference Integrating GIS and Environmental Modeling. Sante Fe, NM.
- WWW & CD. McCAULEY, J. D., NAVULUR, K., ENGEL, B.A. and SRINIVASAN, R. 1996. Serving GIS data through the world wide web. Proceedings of the Third Int'l Conference Integrating GIS & Environmental Modeling. Sante Fe, NM. WWW and CD.
|
Progress 10/01/94 to 09/30/95
Outputs
Information systems including simulation, expert systems (ES) and geographic information systems (GIS) were integrated to develop decision support systems to assist with soil erosion control and surface water quality protection. The AGNPS (Agricultural NonPoint Source) pollution model and ANSWERS (Agricultural Nonpoint Source Watershed Environmental Response Simulation) were interfaced with the GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) GIS to facilitate the use of these models. The interfaces assist with preparation of inputs required by these models and assist with analysis of the spatially distributed results. The decision support systems have been used to evaluate the AGNPS and ANSWERS models for numerous watersheds, assist with soil erosion and water quality best management practice targeting, and evaluation of policy. The decision support systems facilitate rapid analyses. The interfaces and supporting tools are available at the URL:
http://soils.ecn.purdue.edu/aggrass/models/.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/93 to 09/30/94
Outputs
Information systems (e.g., geographic information systems, expert systems, simulation) provide opportunities to improve the protection of natural resources and the environment. Geographic information systems (GIS) are being combined with simulations and expert systems to develop computer-based decision support systems to assist with the protection of the environment. GIS and simulation techniques that improve on DRASTIC and SEEPAGE are being developed to better estimate the potential for groundwater contamination from non-point source pollution. These techniques are being evaluated for the state of Indiana. Distributed parameter models are being used with GIS to evaluate the effects of bio-fuel production (biomass for production of energy) on regional water quality as compared to present land use and management conditions.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/92 to 09/30/93
Outputs
The overall objective of this project is to develop a computer-based system for expert environmental and natural resources protection and management. Three hydrologic/water quality models have been integrated with the GRASS GIS (geographic information system). These models include: ANSWERS, AGNPS, and SWAT. The GIS provides data for the models and also assists with interpretation of model results. Validation of the GLEAMS (Groundwater Loading Effects of Agricultural Management Systems) rootzone nutrient movement module for midwest U.S. conditions is underway. This component is new to GLEAMS and has not been validated for midwest U.S. conditions. Prior to the addition of the nutrient movement component, GLEAMS had been shown to be an effective tool for shallow groundwater management in the midwest U.S. A series of 11 PC-based decision support systems have been developed to provide information on the protection of drinking water quality at the farmstead. The modules are
based partially on the Wisconsin Farm-A-Syst worksheets. The programs use rule-based and hypertext approaches in presenting information.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/91 to 09/30/92
Outputs
GIS hydrologic tools and GIS-model integrations have been developed and were tested on several watersheds including portions of the Indian Pine Natural Resources Field Station located near Purdue. Results indicate that the hydrologic tools and the integrated GIS-model systems can substantially reduce the time required to prepare inputs for the ANSWERS and AGNPS models. In addition, the tools allow their user to rapidly identify areas within watersheds that are contributing the greatest proportion of non-point source pollution to the watershed outlet. Once problem areas are identified, the tools facilitate the rapid evaluation of alternatives. A prototype neural network to classify remotely sensed data to obtain vegetation and land use data has been developed and applied to AVIRIS data. Traditional classification techniques have been applied to the same data set. Preliminary results suggest that the neural network classifier performs as well as or better than the
traditional classification techniques. Additional testing and comparisons are being made. A major advantage of this approach over more traditional techniques is that the neural network classifier can easily use information other than that provided by the remote sensing instrument. For example, information about soil series locations and field boundaries can be easily incorporated in the neural network classifier.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- SRINIVASAN, R. AND ENGEL, B.A. 1992. Effect of slope prediction methods on slope and erosion estimates. Journal of Applied Engineering in Agriculture 7(6):779-783.
- ENGEL, B.A., JONES, D.D. AND THOMPSON, T.L. 1992. Advanced information systems: Integrating expert systems with traditional computer-based problem solving techniques. AI Applications in Natural Resources 6(2):5-12.
- ENGEL, B.A., SRINIVASAN, R. AND REWERTS, C. 1992. A spatial decision support system for modeling and managing agricultural non-point source pollution. In:Integrating Environmental Modeling and GIS,NCGIA,Santa Barbara,CA(In press).
- SRINIVASAN, R. AND ENGEL, B.A. 1992. GIS: A tool for sensitivity analysis of nonpoint source pollution models. Paper 92-7062, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan. 12pp.
- ZHUANG, X., LOZANO-GARCIA, D.F., ENGEL, B.A., FERNANDEZ, R.N. AND JOHANNSEN, C.J. 1992. Optimization of training data required for neuro-classification. In: Archives of the ISPRS XVII Congress, Aug. 2-14, Washington, D.C.
|
Progress 10/01/90 to 09/30/91
Outputs
Artificial intelligence techniques including neural networks are being applied to several problems including the estimation of crop residue amount from Landsat TM satellite images. Estimates of crop residues are needed for large areas for land use planning and natural resources conservation. In estimating crop residue, neural networks performed as well as more traditional techniques. However, when provided additional information about field boundaries, the neural network approach was able to outperform the more traditional techniques. The traditional techniques were unable to use this additional information. The use of neural networks with GIS is also being explored. Neural networks coupled with GIS were used to "learn" how to rate sites for given uses. The trained net was then used to rate other areas. Other potential applications of neural networks in agriculture were also explored.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- SRINIVASAN, R., B.A. ENGEL, and G. PAUDYAL. 1991. Expert system for irrigation management (ESIM). Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 36(3):297-314.
- ENGEL, B.A., D.D. JONES, J.R. WRIGHT, and S. BENABDALLAH. 1991. Selection of an expert system development tool. AI Applications in Natural Resources. 5(1):15-22.
- ENGEL, B.A. and D.B. BEASLEY. 1991. DSS: A dam site selector expert system for education. ASCE Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. 117(5):774-783.
- MUTTIAH, R.S. and B.A. ENGEL. 1991. Neural network methodology in agriculture and natural resources. ASAE Paper No. 91-7018, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
- ZHUANG, X., R.S. MUTTIAH, and B.A. ENGEL. 1991. Intelligent GIS for site selection. ASAE Paper No. 91-7022, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
- ZHUANG, X., B.A. ENGEL, M. BAUMGARDNER, and P. SWAIN. 1991 Improving classification of crop residues using digital land ownership data and Landsat TM imagery. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing. 57(11):.
|
Progress 10/01/89 to 09/30/90
Outputs
The use of ES's and GIS to provide inputs and assist in operating a data intensive simulation such as ANSWERS (Area Nonpoint Source Watershed Environmental Response Simulation) or the grid version of WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) for resource management is being examined. The combination of technologies would increase the utility of data intensive and difficult to use simulations. ES will also provide assistance with the interpretation of simulation results. Currently, links to provide data from the GRASS GIS to ANSWERS are being developed. A prototype link has been deveoped that demonstrates the utility of such linkages. Linking spatial simulations with GIS will allow the display of results using the GIS data base. Other graphical forms of presentation will also be used including animation. Expert systems will further assist with interpretation of results. Excessive soil erosion due to water occurs on significant amounts of land in the United States
and throughout the world. The use of "best management practices" (BMP's) can reduce agricultural runoff, sediment yield, and chemical yield from agricultural lands. However, selection of BMP's is often difficult on a watershed because of the interactions that occur. An expert system (ES) was developed to assess impacts of cultural and structural management practices on agricultural runoff, sediment, yield, and chemical yield and to recommend the best practices for the site.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- ENGEL, B.A., BEASLEY, D.B., and BARRETT, J.R. 1990. Integrating expert systems with conventional problem solving technques using blackboards. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture
- ENGEL, B.A., and ARNOLD, J. 1990. Agricultural non-point source pollution control using spatial decision support systems. Book chapter, In: Spatial Decision Support Systems in Environmental Engineering and Management.
- JOHANNSEN, C. and ENGEL, B.A. 1990. Geographic information system applications in agriculture. ASAE Paper No. 90-3030, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI. 7 pp.
|
Progress 10/01/88 to 09/30/89
Outputs
The agricultural Engineering Department at Purdue has developed several ES with the CLIPS shell. Additional development of ES using CLIPS is planned. CLIPS has several advantages over other development tools: one of these is the availability of the "source code", allowing for modification or additions to be made and compiled as part of the overall ES program. A package of Personal Computer-based user interface functions has been developed and integrated into CLIPS. The primary function is ask, which provides a means to ask the user questions via multiple choice menus or keyboard input. Another function, show, provides a means to paginate and display text to the user. A third function, title, formats and displays title screens. Concepts for integrating knowledge from multiple sources were designed and implemented in a program called MKSMART (Multiple Knowledge Source Management And Reasoning Tool). MKSMART is based on artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to
allow the construction of blackboard-like applications. It is sufficiently robust to support coupling of numerical and symbolic reasoning, the integration of existing algorithmic software, and permit problem formulation in multiple environments. The algorithms and concepts within MKSMART have been transformed to a prototype system that is capable of running on personal computers.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- ENGEL, B.A., THIEME, R. and WHITTAKER, A.D. 1989. Knowledge representation and reasoning. Chapter 5, In: J. R. Barrett and D. D. Jones (eds.), Knowledge Engineering in Agriculture, ASAE Monograph, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI. p. 47-76.
- ENGEL, B.A., BEASLEY, D.B. and BARRETT, J.R. 1989. Integrating multiple knowledge sources. Transactions of the ASAE. (in-review).
- REWERTS, C., ENGEL, B., ROGERS, J. and JONES, D. 1989. An end user interface for CLIPS. AI Applications in Natural Resources. (in-review).
- ENGEL, B.A., BEASLEY, D.B. and BARRETT, J.R. 1989. Integrating expert systems with conventional problem solving techniques using blackboard. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. (In Press).
|
|