Advances in Application of a Process-Based Crop Model to Wetland Plants and Ecosystems

Abstract

For decades crop models have been proven to help agronomists simulate plant growth interactions in the environment, for instance with soil, water, and nutrients. Now scientists are turning their attention to agronomic interactions with ecosystems, specifically wetlands. Wetlands are an integral part of the landscape both as a habitat, and as a buffer between agricultural areas and large watersheds. Process-based simulation models such as APEX, and ALMANAC are used for crops, but have now been applied to wetlands. These models simulate vegetation growth, plant competition, nutrient cycling, erosion, and hydrology. Recent research has allowed wetland plant growth to be simulated, and more complex modeling of the landscape has begun. Here we summarize advances in wetland plant simulation using crop modeling and application of these process-based crop models to wetland plants and ecosystems.