Applications of artificial neural networks in three agro-environmental systems: microalgae production, nutritional characterization of soils and meteorological variables management

La agricultura es una actividad esencial para los humanos, es altamente dependiente de las condiciones meteorológicas y foco de investigación e innovación con el objetivo de enfrentar diversos desafíos. El cambio climático, calentamiento global y la degradación de los ecosistemas agrícolas son sólo algunos de los problemas que los humanos enfrentamos para continuar con la esencial producción de alimentos. Buscando la innovación en el sector agrícola, se consideraron tres tópicos principales de investigación para esta tesis; la producción de microalgas, el color del suelo y la fertilidad, y la adquisición de datos meteorológicos. Estos temas tienen roles cada vez más importantes en la agricultura, especialmente bajo la incertidumbre del futuro de la producción de alimentos. Las microalgas son una interesante alternativa para la fertilización de cultivos y la sostenibilidad del suelo; mientras que los parámetros de fertilidad del suelo necesitan ser más estudiados para desarrollar métodos de análisis de menor costo y más rápidos para ayudar al manejo. La agricultura, como actividad altamente dependiente del clima, necesita de datos meteorológicos para anticipar eventos, planificar y manejar los cultivos eficientemente. Estos temas se seleccionaron con el propósito de mejorar el estado actual de la técnica, proponer nuevas alternativas basadas, principalmente, en la aplicación de redes neuronales artificiales (ANN) como una manera novedosa de resolver los problemas y generar conocimiento de aplicación directa en sistemas de cultivos. El objetivo principal de esta tesis fue generar modelos de ANNs capaces de abordar problemas relacionados con la agricultura, como una alternativa a los métodos tradicionales y más costosos empleados en el manejo, análisis y adquisición de datos en los sistemas agrarios.Departamento de Ingeniería Agrícola y ForestalDoctorado en Ciencia e Ingeniería Agroalimentaria y de Biosistema

Combined Forecasting of Streamflow Based on Cross Entropy

In this study, we developed a model of combined streamflow forecasting based on cross entropy to solve the problems of streamflow complexity and random hydrological processes. First, we analyzed the streamflow data obtained from Wudaogou station on the Huifa River, which is the second tributary of the Songhua River, and found that the streamflow was characterized by fluctuations and periodicity, and it was closely related to rainfall. The proposed method involves selecting similar years based on the gray correlation degree. The forecasting results obtained by the time series model (autoregressive integrated moving average), improved grey forecasting model, and artificial neural network model (a radial basis function) were used as a single forecasting model, and from the viewpoint of the probability density, the method for determining weights was improved by using the cross entropy model. The numerical results showed that compared with the single forecasting model, the combined forecasting model improved the stability of the forecasting model, and the prediction accuracy was better than that of conventional combined forecasting models

Combined Forecasting of Streamflow Based on Cross Entropy

In this study, we developed a model of combined streamflow forecasting based on cross entropy to solve the problems of streamflow complexity and random hydrological processes. First, we analyzed the streamflow data obtained from Wudaogou station on the Huifa River, which is the second tributary of the Songhua River, and found that the streamflow was characterized by fluctuations and periodicity, and it was closely related to rainfall. The proposed method involves selecting similar years based on the gray correlation degree. The forecasting results obtained by the time series model (autoregressive integrated moving average), improved grey forecasting model, and artificial neural network model (a radial basis function) were used as a single forecasting model, and from the viewpoint of the probability density, the method for determining weights was improved by using the cross entropy model. The numerical results showed that compared with the single forecasting model, the combined forecasting model improved the stability of the forecasting model, and the prediction accuracy was better than that of conventional combined forecasting models