Back to Search
Start Over
Agro-ecoregionalization of Iowa using multivariate geographical clustering
- Source :
-
Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment . Jan2008, Vol. 123 Issue 1-3, p161-174. 14p. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Agro-ecoregionalization is categorization of landscapes for use in crop suitability analysis, strategic agroeconomic development, risk analysis, and other purposes. Past agro-ecoregionalizations have been subjective, expert opinion driven, crop specific, and unsuitable for statistical extrapolation. Use of quantitative analytical methods provides an opportunity for delineation of agro-ecoregions in a more objective and reproducible manner, and with use of generalized crop-related environmental inputs offers an opportunity for delineation of regions with broader application. For this study, raster (cell-based) environmental data at 1km scale were used in a multivariate geographic clustering process to delineate agroecozones. Environmental parameters included climatic, edaphic and topographic characteristics hypothesized to be generally relevant to many crops. Clustering was performed using five a priori grouping schemes of 5–25 agroecozones. Non-contiguous geographic zones were defined representing areas of similar crop-relevant environmental conditions. A red-green-blue color triplet was used for visualization of agroecozones as unique combinations of environmental factors. Concordance of the agroecozones with other widely used datasets was investigated using MapCurves, a quantitative goodness-of-fit method. The 5- and 25-agroecozone schemes had highest concordance with a map of major land resource areas and a map of major landform regions, with degree of fit judged to be good. The resulting agroecozones provide a framework for future rigorous hypothesis testing. Other applications include: quantitative evaluation of crop suitability at the landscape scale, environmental impact modeling and agricultural scenario building. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01678809
- Volume :
- 123
- Issue :
- 1-3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 27152154
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2007.06.006