Overview of the Management Submodel in the Wind Erosion Prediction System

The Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) is a process-based, daily time-step, computer model that predicts soil erosion via simulation of the physical processes controlling wind erosion. WEPS is comprised of several individual modules (submodels) that reflect different sets of physical processes, e.g.: a) erosion (entrainment, transport and deposition of airborne particles) ; b) hydrology (water movement within the soil) ; c) plant growth (development of leaf, stem and reproductive plant components) ; d) residue decomposition (decay of plant materials); e) soil (surface soil conditions changed by daily weather conditions); and f) management (simulation of applied cultural practices). These submodels are supported by four databases: soil, management rotations (consisting of date listed operation and plant growth/decomposition records), wind barriers and weather, including wind data.