Annual Report for 1 July 1997 until 30 June 1998
Project Title Regional Water and Soil Assessment for Managing Sustainable Agriculture
Project Number LWR1/95/07
Commencement Date 01/07/1997
Completion Date 31/06/2001
The research focuses on aspects of the water and nutrient cycles at the plot to regional scales. Key issues are water use efficiency, erosion, salinisation, soil structure and fertility decline. Existing data sets from field and catchment experiments, and remotely sensed data at regional scales, provide the basis for process based modelling developments across the institutes involved. Indicators based on process understanding, and information systems technologies, are used to simplify the data sets and integrate information across these different scales. Based on conclusions drawn from this research, technology transfer can occur at the regional policy, management and operational levels in an integrated way.
Title: Regional water and soil assessment for managing sustainable agriculture
I. Purpose and Context of the Project:
The postulate is that improved agricultural water use efficiency will lead to increased agricultural productivity and sustainability. Agricultural water use efficiency is determined by many factors including soil condition, water availability (rainfed or irrigation), physiological characteristics of plant species and management practice and skills. This study aims to establish and validate local and regional measures of water use efficiency and land degradation and convey findings to local farming groups. The methodology comprises a mix of techniques from collecting relevant and detailed plot data, establishing reliable spatial databases using survey data and remote sensing for extrapolation, computer modelling to predict water and solute balances and water use by crops. In addition, environmental indicators are developed as a practical means to assess land and water condition and trends at plot and catchment scales.
II. Names of Collaborating Researchers and Institutions:
The work is spread across 4 main laboratories and 5 main sites. The project leaders are : in Australia, CSIRO Land and Water (Canberra —Dr Joe Walker and Adelaide — Dr Rob Fitzpatrick), Earth Observation Centre (Canberra — Dr David Jupp), in China the CAS laboratories at the Shijiazhuang Institute of Agricultural Modernisation (Prof. Liu Changming and Dr Yang Yonghui) and the Institute for Soil and Water Conservation (Yangling — Prof. Li Rui).
III. Results and Importance:
The time lines and outputs as stated in the proposal have been met as specified.
Highlights are:
IV. Likely Direction of Future Research Activities
We are confident that the general direction of the work can be maintained. However, we need to redefine the major outcomes and focus on these. For example, the idea of developing a guide for indicators of catchment health in Chinese, and a booklet on environmental indicators in general has been accepted by the Chinese collaborators and represents a key outcome not in the original proposal.
3.1 Objectives of the Project
The main objectives are :
Revisions:
The Liverpool Plains site in Australia, where there are shrink-swell cracking clays (which is not currently modeled by WAVES) and narrow strip paddocks (below the current resolution of commercially available remotely sensed imagery) has been primarily replaced by the Loddon-Campaspe Catchment, and to a lesser extent by the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment. Both of these catchments are major research sites with considerable community involvement. Both catchments have already existing GIS/remote sensing frameworks where data availability is assured.
3.2 Research Activities
(i) Timetable and Personnel
In the period 1 July 1997 until 30 June 1998 there have been no changes in the project timetable or personnel on the project.
(ii) Analysis and Research Methods
These are listed for each of the four sub-tasks in the following report.
1. Water Balance Modeling Sub-Task:
Literature review on water balance modeling approaches:
WAVES Documentation (CSIRO)
WAVES is a process-based model that simulates energy, water, carbon, and solute balances of a one-dimensional soil-vegetation-atmosphere system. The model was developed in Sustainable Catchment Management Program CSIRO Land and Water. As part of the ACIAR project, we have documented the WAVES model to provide detailed information on the concept and process representation. The document also includes program structure, numerical solutions, model testing, and clear worked examples. It summarized our research efforts and findings in the area of energy and water balance modelling. This document will greatly help users to understand the model and apply it appropriately for solving water balance problems.
Zhang, L. and Dawes, W.R. (1998). WAVES — An integrated energy and water balance model. CSIRO Land and Water Technical Report No. 31/98, pp. 177.
Study of the soil hydraulic properties in the North China Plains (Canberra and SIAM)
Soil hydraulic properties are important parameters for water balance modelling. A number of soil samples were taken from the North China Plains and analysed for their hydraulic properties. Based on these data, we compared three soil moisture retention functions and the relationship between soil moisture content and hydraulic conductivity. A paper was drafted in Chinese describing the results.
Zhang, X.Y. and Zhang, L. (1998). Estimating soil water retention and hydraulic conductivity using parametric functions — Examples from the North China Plain (in preparation).
c. Water balance modeling (IWSC)
A literature review on water balance modelling was carried out. A brief review of field water cycling and modeling approaches written in Chinese in the first year of the ACIAR project (Huang Mingbin, 1998, book chapter). Soil hydraulic properties are required for water balance modeling. An integral method was used for estimating soil hydraulic properties. A paper titled "Integral method for estimating soil hydraulic properties" was published in SSSAJ (Shao et al., 1998, 62: 585-592). This method is applicable to field conditions.
d. Water balance modelling (SIAM)
The application of the WAVES model at Luancheng Station has been carried on since the beginning of the project with the data input from some past and present projects. And some field soil moisture measurements are still undergoing with the support of other projects. Till now, the simulation has suggested that the WAVES model can efficiently simulate the crop transpiration and soil evaporation for winter wheat and corn, as well as the dynamics of soil water contents based on ten years results at Luancheng Station. This provided the basis of applying the WAVES to field irrigation management in NCP. Next step, efforts will be concentrated on deciding of irrigation index for different crop such as the critical soil water level and the sensitivity of crops to water stress at their different growth stages in combination with the WAVES for efficient farmland water management.
e. Study of water use efficiency
The precise meaning and methods to measure water use efficiency has varied between sites. Reuter et al has produced a discussion paper on the topic.
Based on the study of field water balance at IWSC research sites, an alternative irrigation method was developed to increase water use efficiency of corn crops. A manuscript by Kang et al was published in Agricultural Water Management. The irrigation method has the potential to improve water use efficiency in irrigation areas of the Loess Plateau.
f. Solute transport in soil
Boundary layer theory was used to solve convection-dispersion equation (CDE). The solution has potential to estimate solute transport parameters in field condition. A paper titled "An approximate solution to the convection-dispersion equation of solute transport in soil" was published in Soil Science (Shao et al., 1998, 163:339-345).
g. Data collection/availability & quality control
Metadata sets have been compiled for each research site in Australia and China. Assessments have been made about the suitability of the data sets for running WAVES. In China some data collection has been undertaken and these data are suitable for this sub-task and will be made available to the project. For example at SIAM the following was completed
Ten year observation data such as meteorological data, hydrological information, soil water and nutrient dynamics, and etc. (1986-1996) from Luanchench Station and Nanpi Station were collated.
More than 10 maps with different information from Nanpi and Luanchench Counties were digitized. The agricultural and economical statistics were collated.
A lot of information, which is need for future study of GIS in NCP, were downloaded and verified from NCDC.
Basis on the old soil classification map of NCP, a new classification standard (American Standard) was used to change the old classification system (former Soviet Union Standard) to meet the need of this project. Also, groundwater map have been revised to meet our unity purpose.
Cooperated with Institute of Remote Sensing, CAS, some procedures were developed to assess the production of wheat and maize in NCP.
h. Include crop yield and stress in WAVES
A major effort has been put into this area and a module built into the WAVES model. Application of the APSIM modelling approach has been considered and an effort will be made this year to investigate synergies. The main problem with APSIM is that is does not have the capability to solve the energy balance which is required to link the water balance model with thermal remote sensing. This is essential to up-scale the plot-scale water balance estimates to provide regional measures.
Canberra and SIAM : To study the effect of irrigation on water use efficiency, we have incorporated crop yield prediction into WAVES. Firstly, crop yield is simulated based on its relationship with above ground dry matter or biomass and this method requires only one parameter. Secondly, crop yield is calculated based on total water use during the period of growth. These two methods were chosen because they have the same level of complexity as the other processes represented in WAVES and require minimum changes to the program structure. Lu Zhang and Xi Ying Zhang reviewed the literature on crop yield prediction in relation to water use efficiency.
Wang, H.X., Zhang, L. Dawes, W.R., Liu, C.M. (1997). Improving water use efficiency of irrigated crops in the North China Plain — Measurements and modelling. Presented at the Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming Conference, Xi’an China, 15-19, September 1997.
At ISWC : A simplified model of crop production was developed. The code written in CSMP (Continuous Systems Modeling Program) for solving the model is also provided for crop production prediction. This work will be related to water use efficiency indicator.
2. Soil Environment Impacts Sub-Task
a. Review literature on soil indicators and apply to sites
In the CSIRO Labs the review of the literature on indicators and applying them to the tasks identified in the ACIAR project was the major outcome of this years work. Work on soil health indicators at the plot and paddock level, and work at catchment scales were carried out at all sites and resulted in several papers.
At a paddock / landscape scale:
At catchment scale:
List of Published papers
A preliminary study on an ecosystem stability index in the Zhifangguo watershed of Ansai Station(by Liu Guobin and Zheng Fen-li) have finished a draft.
At SIAM indicators were investigated at two stations, Luancheng Station and Nanpi Station with the same selection criterions. At both Stations, indicators such as condition indicators, biophysical indicators, and productivity trend indicator were investigated and selected to meet our purposes for instance: easy to capture so that these indicators can be easily used by farmer level, low cost, existence of a standard method for estimation, available interpretation criteria and so on. In Luancheng Station, a lot of information was collected in aspects such as soil chemistry, fertility, soil physics, productivity, groundwater dynamics, and indicators relating to the sustainable development of agriculture. In Nanpi Station, the dynamics of soil salts content (investigated by EC and 8 ions), ground level in relation to different seasons, plant nutrient content, basic information of soil profile, condition indicators in relation to cultivation management measurements such as selection of crops, fertilization additions, irrigation with groundwater of different salt content and etc, were monitored. Some field experiments were carrying out to test these relationships between plant and soil water and salt movement to find out the best way for groundwater management. A draft paper on indicators of soil health has been prepared for the Nanpi station.
b. Review sites selected in Australia and China
Soils data were collected from the Mt Lofty and Dundas Tablelands sites and added to the existing data base. These data have been published as —
The Upper Murrumbidgee work progressed substantially with the application of an indicator approach to establish the relative health of 13 large catchments and 169 sub- catchments.
The meteorological data base for the Loddon-Campaspe catchments was updated to provide the basis for linking remote sensing with WAVES for the regional water-use efficiency analysis.
Three sites are selected for indicators research in the Loess Plateau.
Vegetation in this area has gradually restored for above 130 years. Before 1886-1872, soil erosion situation in this area is the same as the Ansai Station. Now, Eco-environment is better and soil erosion modulus is less than 100t/km2.y. However, After vegetation land is changed to farmland, soil quality degradation is rapidly accelerated. Soil erosion modulus is 10000-2000t/km2.y.
These three sites are suitable for indicator monitoring and research and they have long term available data for utilization
3. Information Systems Sub-Task
a. Review related literature
There have been several review documents written in the first year of the ACIAR project. McVicar et al. (1997) discussed four recent applications that form the basis of knowledge and expertise introduced by CSIRO Land and Water for the ACIAR project. The four examples, briefly reviewed, were:
b. Remote Sensing data collection and quality control
Spatial data listings have been established to fulfill this milestone.
To make best use of daily meteorological data to provide necessary ancillary meteorological data to the surface energy balance models at the times of remotely sensed data acquisition which allow the models to be run. The minimum daily meteorological data set consists of daily maximum and minimum air temperatures and daily rainfall. From this minimum data set methods to derive air temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation at the AVHRR overpass times have been tested. The influence of wind speed has also been assessed. Finally, the sensitivities of these two methods are tested against intensive field data collected at the Yucheng Research Station, North China Plain.
c. Design and populate GIS framework
The data sets that are required have been identified. These illustrate the design and population of GIS data layers as required for the ACIAR project.
As part of the project design ERDAS Imagine has been purchased for each site in Australia. Sites in China have access to this software as the selected catchments are CAS focus catchments.
The Adelaide Research group have made progress in establishing appropriate methodologies for up-scaling, mapping and monitoring soil indicators at regional scales. They have used satellite imagery to map land cover, topographic analysis to predict potential soil wetness and GIS analysis to combine information on roads, streams, and soil characteristics with the topographic and remotely sensed data. The aim of this work is to establish a means to predict catchment-specific risks to sustainable and efficient water use due to land degradation through effective monitoring of the scalable indicators.
The ISWC Information Systems Group have made considerable progress applying the indicator methodology to existing data sets and have generated several papers on the topic.
The SIAM Information Systems Group have been undertaking necessary staff development by doing GIS training courses and have been expanding their GIS and remote sensing data bases.
4. Technology Transfer Sub-Task
Technology transfer has been achieved within the project by joint meetings in China (Sept 1997) and technical workshops in China (Sept 1997). Community groups have been addressed e.g. Liverpool Plains (Stauffacher and Walker May 1998),Mt Lofty Ranges (Rob Fitzpatrick at the South Australian Dryland Salinity Forum in September) and Richard Merry, Jim Cox and Rob Fitzpatrick with field day workshops with Landcare Groups in March and May. These groups have had explanations about how their landscapes function and how indicators can be used for better management outcomes. Popular articles have been distributed especially in the Mt Lofty Ranges project, papers have been added to the scientific literature, and technical reports produced.
A WEB site has been established and includes a summary of the project, photos of sites, remotely sensed images, indicators text. All the publications will eventually appear on the site.
a. Consult and involve recipients
Zhang from SIAM visited the Canberra Lab each for 3 months. Renzhao Mao visited the Adelaide Lab for 6 months.
b. Workshops Organised
A four day WAVES workshop was held at CSIRO Land and Water in Canberra (18 -21 May 1998) to help those interested in using the model. Of interest to the ACIAR project Jim Cox (CSIRO Land and Water, Adelaide) and Tim McVicar (CSIRO Land and Water, Canberra) attended the course. There were other participants from several other agencies. As part of an ACIAR project, Jim works on some Mt Lofty Ranges catchments and is trying to understand the water balance and soil moisture dynamics under crops and pastures. Jim has a number of field sites in his catchments where he has measured soil properties, moisture contents, and groundwater depth. Tim, with expertise in remote sensing, is looking for linkages between WAVES and remotely sensed data for large-scale water balance applications as part of the ACIAR project.
Two WAVES workshops were organised in Shijiazhuang and Yangling in October 1998 with total 26 participants. The purpose is to help users from China to understand the model and to be able to test and use the model with their own data. Possible outcomes of the workshop are (1) calibrated model with data from Changwu and Luancheng; (2) comparison of WAVES with local water balance model in the context of dryland and irrigated agriculture.
One Spatial Information Systems workshop was organised and conducted at Yangling in October 1998, with total 10 participants. The purpose of this workshop was to assist the Information Systems group to understand the temporal and spatial interactions of remote sensing, GIS and process understanding. Also how this understanding can be interpolated into the spatial domain was highlighted during the course of the workshop.
(iii) Implications/Results
This is the first year of the project and the publication of results in the scientific literature has been high. The major focus in the remainder of the project will be to up-scale the indicators and to develop practical applications of indicators on the ground. Major visits by Chinese scientists are planned for early 1999 and this will establish the more practical linkages.
One urgent requirement is to channel funds to both Chinese Institutes to acquire regional scale data, in particular meteorological and remotely sensed data sets.
(iv) Problems
There have been communication difficulties between the Chinese and Australian laboratories (e-mail/fax malfunction etc) and in delivering equipment on time. (SIAM's equipment has only now arrived or is being shipped, while ISWC are still making final decisions on equipment purchases). One problem not anticipated was the drop in the value of the AUD$. This changed schedules and purchases. These problems have meant additional project management. Establishing a WWW site, better e-mail connections and visits by staff to labs in China and Australia have mainly overcome the communication problems. In China there are evident problems with regional meteorological and remote sensing data availability. Including essential data such as rainfall. These problems were not anticipated. Purchasing of data needs to be added to the budget.
There have been some changes in CSIRO responsibilities in both Adelaide and Canberra due to Program restructuring. We are reorganising the line management and day to day running of the project to reflect these changes. These will involve increased management responsibilities for Tim McVicar. Financial tracking and reporting has been difficult due to changes in the internal CSIRO financial system these should not occur into the future.
(v) Report and Publications
These are included in Section 3.2 Research Activities sub-section (ii) Analysis and Research Methods. These are being collated and will be provided.
(vi) Benefits of Research
The benefits to date have been in establishing similar approaches to WUE modelling (at both the plot and regional scales) and a common approach to the development of environmental indicators.
3.3 Travel and Meetings
In September 1997 four CSIRO scientists (Joe Walker, Rob Fitzpatrick, Lu Zhang and Tim McVicar) traveled to China. They attended the Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming Conference in Xi’an and each gave a paper and chaired sessions. Visits were made to ISWC and SIAM and general project startup details were decided. For example, during these visits establishment of the spatial data listing, which are essential to understand data availability constraints to up-scale indicators were documented.
There have been three visits to CSIRO by Chinese scientists, these have not been funded by ACIAR although they are part of the ACIAR work and the leverage that the ACIAR project to capturing wider interest.
3.4 Budget Discussion
Removed from General WWW view.
3.5 Conclusions
It is our view that the project is on track and has produced an impressive set of scientific outcomes. The problems associated with communication will be overcome by the development and maintenance of the WWW site. The plans for the future involve identifying the major outcomes and ensuring that these will be delivered on time.
4.1 Research Result of Note
These have been discussed in the Executive Summary
4.2 Research Reports, Papers and Publications
There are 20 attached publications, these can be cross referenced with the listing here. Most are discussed in the body of the annual report under Section 3.2 Research Activities sub-section (ii) Analysis and Research Methods.