Summary
This study adapted the SPACSYS process-based model to simulate field-scale spatial heterogeneity in water and nitrogen cycling alongside herbage production at North Wyke Farm Platform. Using a grid-based spatially distributed approach, the authors demonstrated that explicitly modelling within-field variation substantially improved predictions of biomass productivity compared to conventional single-point simulations. The findings suggest that spatial heterogeneity is a significant source of uncertainty in quantifying nutrient cycling and water movement in pastoral systems, and that capturing this variation is important for accurate farm-level modelling.
UK applicability
The study was conducted at a UK research farm (North Wyke in Devon) using UK pasture conditions, making the findings directly applicable to temperate grassland management and pastoral systems across the United Kingdom. The modelling approach and insights into spatial variation could inform precision management strategies for UK livestock farmers seeking to optimise nutrient cycling and herbage productivity.
Key measures
Water run-off, soil moisture, N2O emissions, herbage biomass, spatial variation across field grid cells
Outcomes reported
The study modelled field-scale spatial variation in water run-off, soil moisture, nitrous oxide emissions and herbage biomass production in a grazed pasture using a grid-based process model. Results demonstrated that accounting for within-field spatial heterogeneity improved model predictions of biomass productivity compared to single-point simulations.
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