Suitability mapping for alternative crops: A consistent, high-resolution approach for the United States
Alternative crops are a key aspect of many nature-based solutions in agriculture, and there is a need for more consistent geographic information on biophysical suitability to aid in both farm-level planning and larger-scale analyses. Here we describe an approach for generating consistent, replicable...
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Elsevier
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Nature-Based Solutions |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772411524000764 |
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| author | Monika E. Shea Kevin J. Wolz |
| author_facet | Monika E. Shea Kevin J. Wolz |
| author_sort | Monika E. Shea |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Alternative crops are a key aspect of many nature-based solutions in agriculture, and there is a need for more consistent geographic information on biophysical suitability to aid in both farm-level planning and larger-scale analyses. Here we describe an approach for generating consistent, replicable, high-resolution suitability maps for any alternative crop species across the USA. The method employs a criteria-based approach to map potential species performance using a simple suitability index. Criteria for suitable and ideal ranges of values for influential biophysical variables are created using data collected from published sources and are reviewed by experts. Publicly available soil and climate map data are used with the criteria to map suitability for each variable which are integrated into an overall suitability index map. Maps of unsuitable locations are combined to produce a limiting variable map showing which category of environmental variables is most limiting. We demonstrate the application of this approach for two alternative perennial crops, apple (Malus spp.) and Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) and validate its accuracy using known farm locations. Maps of apple and chestnut in four distant study regions show varying patterns of suitability and potential performance depending on the climate and geophysical characteristics of the region. The maps can be used to identify areas of high suitability and compare across regions or between species and be combined with socio-economic and environmental datasets for further analysis. Compared to other approaches, ours can be applied to multiple species with a range of pre-existing knowledge in a consistent way, allowing for reliable mapping and subsequent research and planning for alternative crops and nature-based solutions in agriculture. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-03dc787f5b1647aba123fb5d4e73581a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2772-4115 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Nature-Based Solutions |
| spelling | doaj-art-03dc787f5b1647aba123fb5d4e73581a2025-08-20T02:36:35ZengElsevierNature-Based Solutions2772-41152024-12-01610018510.1016/j.nbsj.2024.100185Suitability mapping for alternative crops: A consistent, high-resolution approach for the United StatesMonika E. Shea0Kevin J. Wolz1Corresponding author.; Savanna Institute, 2453 Atwood Ave., Suite 209, Madison, WI 53704, USASavanna Institute, 2453 Atwood Ave., Suite 209, Madison, WI 53704, USAAlternative crops are a key aspect of many nature-based solutions in agriculture, and there is a need for more consistent geographic information on biophysical suitability to aid in both farm-level planning and larger-scale analyses. Here we describe an approach for generating consistent, replicable, high-resolution suitability maps for any alternative crop species across the USA. The method employs a criteria-based approach to map potential species performance using a simple suitability index. Criteria for suitable and ideal ranges of values for influential biophysical variables are created using data collected from published sources and are reviewed by experts. Publicly available soil and climate map data are used with the criteria to map suitability for each variable which are integrated into an overall suitability index map. Maps of unsuitable locations are combined to produce a limiting variable map showing which category of environmental variables is most limiting. We demonstrate the application of this approach for two alternative perennial crops, apple (Malus spp.) and Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) and validate its accuracy using known farm locations. Maps of apple and chestnut in four distant study regions show varying patterns of suitability and potential performance depending on the climate and geophysical characteristics of the region. The maps can be used to identify areas of high suitability and compare across regions or between species and be combined with socio-economic and environmental datasets for further analysis. Compared to other approaches, ours can be applied to multiple species with a range of pre-existing knowledge in a consistent way, allowing for reliable mapping and subsequent research and planning for alternative crops and nature-based solutions in agriculture.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772411524000764Land-useAgroforestryAfforestationNatural climate solutionGeographic information systemsMarginal land |
| spellingShingle | Monika E. Shea Kevin J. Wolz Suitability mapping for alternative crops: A consistent, high-resolution approach for the United States Nature-Based Solutions Land-use Agroforestry Afforestation Natural climate solution Geographic information systems Marginal land |
| title | Suitability mapping for alternative crops: A consistent, high-resolution approach for the United States |
| title_full | Suitability mapping for alternative crops: A consistent, high-resolution approach for the United States |
| title_fullStr | Suitability mapping for alternative crops: A consistent, high-resolution approach for the United States |
| title_full_unstemmed | Suitability mapping for alternative crops: A consistent, high-resolution approach for the United States |
| title_short | Suitability mapping for alternative crops: A consistent, high-resolution approach for the United States |
| title_sort | suitability mapping for alternative crops a consistent high resolution approach for the united states |
| topic | Land-use Agroforestry Afforestation Natural climate solution Geographic information systems Marginal land |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772411524000764 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT monikaeshea suitabilitymappingforalternativecropsaconsistenthighresolutionapproachfortheunitedstates AT kevinjwolz suitabilitymappingforalternativecropsaconsistenthighresolutionapproachfortheunitedstates |