Summary
This paper applies the SPACSYS mechanistic model to simulate field-scale spatial heterogeneity in hydrology, soil moisture, greenhouse gas emissions and forage production on a grazed pasture. The spatially distributed soil moisture predictions appeared promising, though the authors note that objective verification against independent field data was not possible. The work contributes to understanding the limitations and potential of spatially explicit process-based modelling for intensive grassland systems.
UK applicability
Direct relevance to UK grassland farming systems and the quantification of N₂O emissions from grazed pastures under British climate conditions. The modelling limitations highlighted may inform future validation requirements for spatially distributed soil and environmental models applied to UK farming.
Key measures
Water run-off, soil moisture spatial variation, N₂O emissions, herbage biomass, model validation
Outcomes reported
The study modelled field-scale spatial variation in water run-off, soil moisture, N₂O emissions and herbage biomass across a grazed pasture using the SPACSYS model. Soil moisture predictions from the spatially distributed model showed promise but could not be objectively verified against observations.
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