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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 8/11/2020 Publication Date: 9/3/2020 Citation: Wagner, L.E. 2020. Future work and uses of WEPS. In: Tatarko, J., editor. Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS): Technical Documentation. USDA Agriculture Handbook 727. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD. p. 511-517. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) has many potential uses beyond its current capabilities, especially if specific enhancements are made to the science model and/or its interface. The primary enhancements anticipated include: a) multiple subregion support to simulate different soils and/or management practices (like strip cropping) within a single field, b) representing terrain elevation effects on hilly fields, c) providing for the simultaneous growth of multiple crops at one time, allowing for inter-seeding of crops and multiple species to be grown at once such as range land and pasture vegetation, d) extending the model to simulate wind erosion on range lands and soils high in organic matter, e) allowing simulation of complex field shapes to better represent more field shapes accurately, f) integrating both wind and water erosion simulations within the same modelling framework and utilizing a common user interface for both erosion simulations and g) create a web-enabled interface with remote access to databases for inputs to allow easier access for users. In addition, several potential coding modifications are possible to speed up simulations, especially for multiple subregion simulations and refining the ability to simulate erosion accurately in regions where erosion inputs are changing rapidly, e.g. by implementing an automated gridding system. Future expansions of the WEPS model will provide for more accurate simulations and more diverse uses than presently available for improved conservation planning. |
