EcoAF on CAPSIS, simulates the economics effects of your choices when building and managing an agroforestry field !

Abstract

International audienceWith EcoAF, download a group of concrete farm parcels, place if needed the polygons of main soil types, then play with possible futures! You can choose whatever combinations of lines, straight or broken or in spots, around or inside the field, decide where to plant trees, shrubs and grasses, in hedges or placed points, the species/varieties and the quality of the bundles of plants. The growth will depend on further choices on how you intend to manage the bundle of plants, the plantation, then all the components during their life. A further development will include simplified crop/animal productions, and the possible impact of the growth of trees and shrubs on them. Each simulation will include variability and aleas. 2D and 3D graphic interfaces and visualizations, at once and delayed datasheets let compare the consequences of different choices. The EcoAF module is developed in French and English on CAPSIS (Computer-Aided Projec-tion of Strategies In Silviculture ; http://www.inra.fr/capsis), with the aims to be user-friendly and transparent about the degree of reliability of parameters. Its conception and evolution take into account the need of advisors in agroforestry. We illustrate some consequences of genetic and silvicultural choices: plant an ordinary or improved variety, densify or not the plantation, take great care or not of the young plants while planting etc