Abstract
Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator (EPIC) has been widely used to analyze the relationship between soil erosion and agricultural productivity. It has the ability to simulate yields for many different crops in field, and each crop has unique values for the model parameters. In this paper, a methodology to integrate Geographic Information System (GIS) with EPIC model is proposed. This integration applies a loose coupling approach that involves a commercial GIS package and EPIC program. Data are exchanged using either ASCII or binary data format between two software packages without a common user interface. A case of crop yield simulation is tested with GIS-based EPIC model in China. The work of data handling and result presentation can be rent to GIS. Examinations show that result simulated with GIS-based EPIC model is acceptable, and thus it can serve as an important tool for decision-maker dealing with land resource management at global level.
