Soil Erosion and Crop Production: A Modeling Approach

Abstract

Since soil erosion can be relatively slow process, it is required that the model be capable of simulating on a daily time step using readily available inputs. In order to meet this requirement., a mathematical model EPIC (Williams et. al. 1989) has been used and efforts are being made to develop a new raster/pixel based approach to simulate crop yield and erosion-sedimentation incorporating hydrology, weather and nutrient cycling models. The paper describes an application of EPIC in the northeastern part of India namely Bihar based on climate/land conditions, fertilizer use and management practices. The result suggests that the model can be used for simulating the effects of agricultural practices in response to the environmental changes such as climatechange or soil erosion.