Systems Modeling

Systems Modeling

Our Theme:

Systems modeling provides an understanding of agricultural systems and the way they influence and are influenced by broader aspects such as other sectors, resource availability and management, human behavior, and the institutional/regulatory context within which they function. It supports agricultural decision making and management at various spatial and temporal scales. Yield assessment, production practices, resource use, environmental footprints, and policies are enhanced by models interacting with remote sensing and other digital data sources. Focus areas for model development and applications include the following.

Development and application of process-oriented dynamic models (cropping systems, hydrology, and environmental impact)
Development and application of data-driven empirical/ machine-learning based models
Data assimilation and AI framework development to integrate models with digital data sources such as satellite imagery, observational networks and forecasts
Model development and application for field-scale and regional-scale decision support. Multi-scale characterization of systems and their interconnectedness
Food, Water, Energy interactions in coupled systems
Integrating economics and institutions as critical components of the systems

Ongoing Research Projects/Initiatives:

Technology for trade: Improving water use and allocation efficiency in agriculture and beyond

Technology for trade: new tools and new rules for water use efficiency in agriculture and beyond

Columbia River Supply and Demand Forecast https://wrc.wsu.edu/project/water-supply-and-demand-forecast-2016/
Fruit and Vegetable CAMO https://foodsystems.org/what-we-do/nutrition/fruit-vegetable-supply-chains/
Food-Energy-Water Nexus: Innovations in Storage for resilience

Home

Decision support for managing climate related risks in tree fruit and grapes
- Through multiple projects, we are exploring multiple aspects related to climate related risks in perennial cropping systems: sunburn risk in apples, honeybee pollination management, cold damage to grapevine, and codling moth pest pressures.
Analogs as way to communicate climate change risks and facilitate management alternatives (USDA ERME, USDA Northwest Climate Hub, USGS, USDA NIFA)
- As part of multiple projects, we are exploring spatial analogs (locations whose current conditions resemble what is expected in the future in a target location) as a way to better communicate climate change risk and create networks of locations that can learn from each other about best management adaptations.
Digital Agriculture Focused Hackathons
- In partnership with Microsoft, Innov8Ag, and the Cascadia Initiative, we are planning hackathon style events to increase awareness of capabilities in the Digital Agriculture space and foster partnerships and innovation.

Sponsors/Partners: