This program compares specific soil types to a database of plant and insect species based upon their mineral analysis to find combinations of species that optimize the utilization of available nutrients. The objective, of course, is to tie up the mineral nutrients as biomass and minimize their loss to erosion. By planning for this process we can avoid undesirable consequences like weeds, insect pests and diseases, which evolved to manage against erosion.
CONTENTS:
+This
program contains some general soil types and soil extracts as well as a
couple of invasive weed species the analysis of which will yield species
combinations with a good chance of competing against the invasive. One
can experiment with the program without actually knowing their soil type,
but for planning crops, a prairie, a wetland, a forest, or a home garden
one should enter the nutrient makeup of their target soil.
There are
currently nine habitat databases available: Garden, Riparian, Horticultural,
Wetland, Weeds, Prairie, Agricultural, Everything and Eastern Forest. The
data for this type of analysis is difficult to obtain, but the project
is underway, so stop back from time to time, especially if you plan to
grow something. At this time there are a total of 68 Eastern U.S. species
in the database, with more on the way.
2). A simple linear regression that finds the single best species for growing on a particular soil matrix. This is not an optimum sustainable system as there is no adaptive capability in a monoculture. Weeds, insect pests or microbiota typically make up the diversification process when it is not planned for. Still, selecting the best match of crop and soil can minimize infestation potential.
3). Two through five membered systems of species that cooperate to utilize all available mineral nutrients in the soil and retard erosion losses while maximizing biomass production. Normally, there are only a very few binary combinations of species and I have encountered three membered sets only a few times. I am hoping that as the database grows, the potential for four and five membered sets will be realized.
The results include both a % Erosion and a %Error value. The % Erosion value is the % error between the fit of the species and the conditions. The % Error is the average difference between all the species in the database and the selected condition. In The Linear Regression, or Single Species regression, there are two values presented. The first value represents a Y-intercept and the second the Slope. The Y-intercept represents the minimum proportion of plants to satisfy the condition (soil, invasive competitior, hydroponics), while the slope indicates how the fit will improve by increasing the density of the individuals. The %Erosion is calculated from the X = 1.0 condition. If the Slope is large, however, increasing the density of individuals would proportionally reduce the %Erosion.
DIRECTIONS
When the
program starts (there is some flickering) you will see a menu bar on the
top that includes: Habitat Type, Options and Soil Type. An element entry
field fills most of the screen, with a text area to your right. If you
have an elemental analysis for your soil type you can enter the data in
the entry field. If not you can choose a soil base from the "Soil Type"
file. The "Habitat Type" contains the various databases of species that
would, or could occur in the Ecosystem types indicated. The "Options" menu
allows you to select the operation you wish to perform on the data, e.g.
Linear Regression, Multidimensional Regression...
The "everything"
array In the "Habitat Type" file is large, marginally useful ecologically
and takes a lot of time to run the calculations on, so avoid it unless
you are really curious. The "Wetland" array comes from a literature source
from the United Nations, but only has values for the vegetative parts of
the species listed. I rarely use this database, but I might transfer it
to the "Soil Type" menu in the future, so the plants could be interpreted
as land applied nutrients.
Remember,
the type of analysis; full, single, 2, 3, 4 or 5 is selected in the "Options"
file.
IMPORTANT
Once you
have made your selections and customized your calculations, you must hit
the ENTER DATA
key first, then the "RUN"
button. Otherwise, there is no telling what might happen! While the calculations
are running, give them at least 30 seconds, the screen will change to a
green graphics display. When the word "Graphics" appears on the screen,
the calculations are almost done. Sometimes the program sticks (?????)
so if the "Graphics" message appears and nothing happens for another 30
seconds, hit the "Redraw" button. Usually this happens only on the first
calculation on start-up.
The program
draws out an optimal design for four specific systems in the graphics area,
and displays the exact data, including the estimated percent erosion the
system will allow, in the text area. The full Multidimensional Analysis
does not have a graphics routine, but supplies the results in the text
area alone.
If you want
to run another analysis, hit the "Again" button and it will return you
to the first page of the program. To escape from the program it is best
if you hit the "Close" button before leaving. It interrupts all the loops
and speeds up the release of your system's resources.
To Start
Click On The Bunny:
