ARS | Publication request: SPUR 2000: DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING AND MANAGING RANGELANDS

Submitted to: Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 13, 2000
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The Simulation, Production, and Utilization of Rangelands(SPUR)is a physically based model, released in 1987. SPUR is designed as a technical tool for assisting in making rangeland management decisions. The model simulates the interactions of vegetation, soil, surface hydrology and management activities. Since 1987, considerable work has continued to enhance SPUR's capability to accurately represent rangeland ecosystems and response to management actions. Modifications included: plant species competition for soil water, improved plant growth model applicable to more diverse climates, upgraded plant-animal interface to provide greater flexibility for grazing systems, addition of a cow-calf beef cattle model, and upgraded soil carbon and nitrogen cycling processes by adding the CENTURY model. Current activities under a USDA, ARS and NRCS cooperative effort are aimed at incorporating the physically based surface hydrology and erosion technology available through WEPP, strenghtening the plant-hydrology linkage, updating the evapotranspiration and snow hydrology modules, upgrading the climate generator, and developing a "user friendly" interface.