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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Boise, Idaho » Northwest Watershed Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #175068
Title: The use of SPUR-WEPP in modeling wet meadows in the intermountain region, Idaho, USA

Author
item SPAETH, K - NRCS
item Pierson Jr, Frederick
item Moffet, Corey

Submitted to: Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/25/2004
Publication Date: 7/25/2004
Citation: Spaeth, K.E., Pierson, F.B., Moffet, C.A. 2004. The use of SPUR/WEPP in Modeling Wet Meadows and Contagious Lands in the Intermountain West, USA. (abstract). Proceedings of the 7th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference, Utrecht, the Netherlands, July 25-31, 2004. P 330.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A joint project between USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) was initiated in 1996 to combine two existing technologies, the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) and the Simulation of Production and Utilization of Rangelands (SPUR) into a "state-of-the-art" ecosystem model (SPUR-WEPP). Advances to SPUR-WEPP include incorporation of an updated climate generator (CLIGEN), infiltration-runoff components of WEPP, and the plant growth and management attributes of SPUR. SPUR-WEPP is unique in that it addresses multiple-species communities. The model can simulate responses to various management treatments and changing plant composition and their effects on hydrological processes. A demonstration of 10 and 25 year simulations of SPUR-WEPP are given for a high elevation willow (Salix)/sedge (Carex) and herbaceous Carex/Rush (Juncus) wetland community types. Proportionally little information is available about high elevation snowmelt driven wetland systems in the montane regions of the Pacific Northwest. The SPUR/WEPP model is capable of modeling the entire water budget (rainfall, runoff, infiltration, evapotranspiration (partitioned soil evaporation, plant transpiration), deep percolation, soil moisture, sediment loss, and is sensitive to changing vegetative composition. Comparisons of model simulated hydrology and documented field values show that SPUR-WEPP adequately simulated the variability of wetland hydrology for the above community types.