125 research outputs found
Studienlandschaft Schwingbachtal: an out-door full-scale learning tool newly equipped with augmented reality
This paper addresses education and communication in hydrology and geosciences. Many approaches can be used, such as the well-known seminars, modelling exercises and practical field work but out-door learning in our discipline is a must, and this paper focuses on the recent development of a new out-door learning tool at the landscape scale. To facilitate improved teaching and hands-on experience, we designed the Studienlandschaft Schwingbachtal. Equipped with field instrumentation, education trails, and geocache, we now implemented an augmented reality App, adding virtual teaching objects on the real landscape. The App development is detailed, to serve as methodology for people wishing to implement such a tool. The resulting application, namely the Schwingbachtal App, is described as an example. We conclude that such an App is useful for communication and education purposes, making learning pleasant, and offering personalized options
Monte Carlo-based calibration and uncertainty analysis of a coupled plant growth and hydrological model
Computer simulations are widely used to support decision making and planning
in the agriculture sector. On the one hand, many plant growth models use
simplified hydrological processes and structures – for example, by the use of a small
number of soil layers or by the application of simple water flow approaches.
On the other hand, in many hydrological models plant growth processes are
poorly represented. Hence, fully coupled models with a high degree of
process representation would allow for a more detailed analysis of the dynamic
behaviour of the soil–plant interface.
We coupled two of such high-process-oriented independent models and
calibrated both models simultaneously. The catchment modelling framework
(CMF) simulated soil hydrology based on the Richards equation and the van
Genuchten–Mualem model of the soil hydraulic properties. CMF was coupled
with the plant growth modelling framework (PMF), which predicts plant growth
on the basis of radiation use efficiency, degree days, water shortage and
dynamic root biomass allocation.
The Monte Carlo-based generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE)
method was applied to parameterize the coupled model and to investigate the
related uncertainty of model predictions. Overall, 19 model parameters (4
for CMF and 15 for PMF) were analysed through 2 Ă— 106 model runs
randomly drawn from a uniform distribution.
The model was applied to three sites with different management in
MĂĽncheberg (Germany) for the simulation of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a
cross-validation experiment. Field observations for model evaluation
included soil water content and the dry matter of roots, storages, stems
and leaves. The shape parameter of the retention curve n was highly
constrained, whereas other parameters of the retention curve showed a large
equifinality. We attribute this slightly poorer model performance to missing
leaf senescence, which is currently not implemented in PMF. The most
constrained parameters for the plant growth model were the
radiation-use efficiency and the base temperature. Cross validation helped to identify deficits in the model
structure, pointing out the need for including agricultural management
options in the coupled model
Examining and evaluating multilevel communication within a mixed-methods, community-based participatory research project in a rural, minority–majority U.S. Town
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has been shown to improve health and social well-being by including diverse, marginalized community voices within academic–community partnerships. Although CBPR has gained in popularity, an explicit examination and evaluation of communication processes and outcomes throughout an entire CBPR project is lacking. Here, we analyze interviews with 10 stakeholders (i.e. 4 academic and 6 community partners) about their experiences in a three-phase, mixed-methods project exploring Hispanic and Somali community members’ perceptions of healthcare needs and access in a rural U.S. community. Results reflect that CBPR endeavors include communication challenges, successes, and ongoing tensions not simply between the academic group and community partners but also within these groups. We encourage academic– community research partners to devote considerable efforts to strengthening effective communication between and within multiple identity groups throughout an entire CBPR project (including evaluation) as they work to create, complete, and sustain project goals and outcomes
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