1. General Model Information
Name: RANGETEK
Acronym: RANGETEK
Main medium: terrestrial
Main subject: biogeochemistry
Organization level: ecosystem
Type of model: ordinary differential equations, not specified
Main application: decision support/expert system, simulation/optimisation tool
Keywords: grasslands, water-balance, yield indices, ET
Contact:
J. Ross Wight
USDA-ARS
800 Park Blvd. Suite 105 Boise, ID 83712
Phone: 208-334-1363
Fax : 208-334-1502
email: rwight@nwrc.ars.pn.usbr.gov
Author(s):
Wight, J.R., K.A. Gebhardt, A.L. Huber, and C.L. Hanson.
Abstract:
The RANGETEK model is a modified version of the
ERHYM -II model. It includes
expert system technology to improve the ease of data input and interpretation
of output data. The model provides simulation of daily water-balance and
calculation of annual yield indices based on the ratio of actual to potential
transpiration (Wight et al., 1990).
Validation Procedures: Model outputs of soil water content and evapotranspiration (ET) were
compared to field-measured values. Predicted herbiage yields were compared to field-measured
herbiage yields.
How Model Functions: The model runs on a daily time step with daily inputs of maximum and
minimum air temperatures and solar radiation. Water added to the soil profile is the difference
between precipitation and runoff. The SCS curve number procedure as described in CREAMS is
used to estimate runoff. As each soil layer is filled to its water holding capacity, water is cascaded
down to the next soil layer. When the profile is full, surplus water becomes drainage. Potential ET
is calculated by a modified Penman equation as described in SPUR. Actual soil and plant
evaporation are based on potential ET, soil water content, average site LAI and a relative growth
curve. A soil temperature routine from EPIC and a solar radiation generating routine is included
Author of the abstract:
CIESIN (CONSORTIUM FOR
INTERNATIONAL EARTH SCIENCE INFORMATION NETWORK):
II. Technical Information
II.1 Executables:
Operating System(s): 640 K of memory, a color monitor, and DOS 3.0 or better operatingsystem.
II.2 Source-code:
Programming Language(s): BASIC and C++.
II.3 Manuals:
II.4 Data:
III. Mathematical Information
III.1 Mathematics
III.2 Quantities
III.2.1 Input
Daily precipitation, maximum and minimum air temperaturesand solar radiation; field capacity and permanent wilting water contents for each soil layer; initialsoil water content; average site herbiage yield at peak standing crop; and dates for start ofgrowing season, peak standing crop, and end of growing season. Calculated daily values of potential and actual soil and plant evaporation
III.2.2 Output
Calculated daily values of potential and actual soil and plant evaporationfrom each soil layer, daily soil water contents, cumulative actual and potential transpiration, andgraphic display of these values.
Temporal Scale: Daily time step
Spatial Scale: Range site specific
IV. References
Wight, J.R., K.A. Gebhardt, A.L. Huber, and C.L. Hanson. 1990. RANGETEK; adecision aid for range management, p. 179-185. E.B. James and W.R. Hotchkiss(eds.), Transferring Models to Users, Symp. Proc. Denver, CO, Nov. 4-8. Amer.Water Resources Assoc. Bethesda, MD.
V. Further information in the World-Wide-Web
VI. Additional remarks
The ERHYM - II model could be used to quantify the impacts of managementactivities, conservation measures, and projected global changes on westernUnited States grasslands.
Last review of this document by: T. Gabele: 08. 07. 1997 -
Status of the document:
last modified by
Tobias Gabele Wed Aug 21 21:44:48 CEST 2002