A spatial modeling tool for agricultural systems

Many natural processes (heat transfer, precipitation, flow) and systems (landforms, crop distributions, water bodies) are most effectively modeled on a spatial (distributed) basis. A way of thinking about such modeling is suggested and current software is reviewed.

A prototype software tool for modeling a variety of systems is developed. It consists of an interactive, high-level computer language that manipulates "intelligent" arrays. The language provides input distributions, mathematical/logical/positional operators, statistical analysis, various computational approaches, and graphic output.

The tool's use is demonstrated with three systems - surface water over a landform, pressure distribution in the cross section of a dam, and the performance of an irrigation pressure regulator. Other applications are suggested and program refinements proposed.