CropSyst model evolution: From field to regional to global scales and from research to decision support systems

• Published in: Environmental modelling & software : with environment data news 2014-12, Vol.62, p.361-369
• Main Authors: Stöckle, Claudio O., Kemanian, Armen R., Nelson, Roger L., Adam, Jennifer C., Sommer, Rolf, Carlson, Bryan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural systems model; Assessments; Crop growth simulation; Cropping system model; Decision support systems; Demand; Evolution; Foods; Platforms; Regional; Spatially-distributed application
• ISSN: 1364-8152
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.09.006

Motivated by global and regional challenges in food production and a broader consideration of ecosystem services, there has been a substantial increase in the demand for integrated agricultural systems models and spatially-distributed applications that can be used for regional and global assessments and as decision support tools. This demand marks a shift from earlier emphasis in single-crop point simulations and poses a significant challenge as cropping systems models need to improve and increase their capabilities to address multiple scales in a cohesive scientific manner and using updated computing platforms. In this article we discuss how the cropping systems model CropSyst has evolved to meet these new demands and provide some concepts for the future. •Climate change and environmental concerns are driving the development of crop models.•The cropping systems model CropSyst has evolved in response to new research needs.•Our vision is to provide Internet-based open access to a library of CropSyst modules.•Global communities of crop, climate, and economic modelers are emerging.