AEPAT: software for assessing agronomic and environmental performance of management practices in long-term agroecosystem experiments

Liebig, M.A.; Miller, M.E.; Varvel, G.E.; Doran, J.W.; Hanson, J.D.

AEPAT: software for assessing agronomic and environmental performance of management practices in long-term agroecosystem experiments

2004

Liebig, M.A. | Miller, M.E. | Varvel, G.E. | Doran, J.W. | Hanson, J.D.

Approaches to assess the effects of management practices on agroecosystem functions are needed. This paper describes a computer program designed to assess the relative sustainability of management practices using agronomic and environmental data. The program, entitled AgroEcosystem Performance Assessment Tool (AEPAT), utilizes performance-based index methodology to derive a relative ranking of agroecosystem performance among management practices for functions and indicators included in the procedure. The program is organized into eight major steps: Introduction, Input Files, Assign Indicators to Functions, Describe Indicators, Assign Weights, Select Output File, Calculate Agroecosystem Performance Scores, and Save Agroecosystem Project. Help windows as well as a tutorial are provided within the program to assist users through each step. Users must keep in mind the assumptions and drawbacks inherent to performance-based indices while using AEPAT. Additionally, the program requires data on many indicators to provide useful information on agroecosystem performance. Therefore, its use is intended primarily for clientele conducting long-term agroecosystem experiments.

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