Conceptual Framework of Connectivity for a National Agroecosystem Model Based on Transport Processes and Management Practices

There is a critical need for a national agroecosystem model for conservation policy and environmental planning, driven by issues including harmful algal blooms, water scarcity, flooding, and other weather-related extremes. In this study, we illustrate the feasibility of a national agroecosystem model that will downscale processes to individual fields and first-order channels. We propose to conceptually divide the conterminous United States (U.S.) into process domains as a framework for simulating processes and management at relevant scales. Specifically, we are proposing five domains: field (1-50 ha), transition (0.2-2.0 km(2)), headwater (1-15 km(2)), tributaries (15-150 km(2)), and main river (>150 km(2)). The proposed conceptual framework hydrologically connects fields across the U.S. using the National Hydrography Dataset (NHDPlus version 2). Parameterizing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool for the national agroecosystem model resulted in 4,880,000 agricultural fields, 2,250,000 non-agricultural hydrologic response units, and 7,130,000 transition, 1,610,000 headwater, 591,000 tributary, and 432,400 main channels. Application of this framework was shown for Hydrologic Unit Code 07120002 in central Illinois and Indiana to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach using data that is readily available across the U.S. The new connectivity framework has the potential to dramatically improve national conservation and environmental assessments performed by U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the feasibility of a national agroecosystem model, proposing to divide the conterminous United States into process domains for simulating and managing processes at relevant scales. The new connectivity framework has the potential to greatly improve national conservation and environmental assessments conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.