evaluations adequately in this case. The model analysis further demonstrated that
soil degradation would move towards critical red to yellow soil levels (Fig. 10.11)
in 2018, with a higher vulnerability in relation to soil erosion (Clemens et al. 2010),
a tendency also shown in the LUCIA approach (Sect. 10.2). Low current soil
fertility levels also pose a challenge to potential soil conservation strategies, as
the build-up of soil fertility will be slow once soil degradation has advanced (Wezel
et al. 2002), as demonstrated in the model simulations. Here lies an apparent
advantage of the FALLOW model, as it allows for the possibility of integrating
different knowledge domains to produce simulations that may be relevant for local
stakeholders and decision-makers. The low data input requirements when compared to data-demanding mechanistic model approaches allow the disclosure of
meaningful insights into local soil degradation phenomena, those relevant for
strategic planning. While absolute maize yields simulated with FALLOW may be
less detailed when compared to the LUCIA simulations presented before
(Sect. 10.2), the phenomenon of yield increase masking soil degradation is common
to both approaches.
Overall, the presented study has an important message to convey at the community level. If resource managers resist changing current cropping practices, environmental degradation will adversely affect the livelihoods of farmers and will be
increasingly difficult to reverse. Yet this problem has a much broader regional
dimension, as the case study presented here is a typical example of the challenges
currently faced across the north-western mountainous provinces of Vietnam. This
study has shown that building on an iterative participatory approach to obtain input
variables that are suitable for semi-quantitative modelling – as a methodological
pathway to foster the implementation of sustainable upland cropping practices, has
proven its usefulness in a data-poor environment.
10.5 Case Study 4: Agent-Based Modeling on the CORMAS
Platform to Examine the Sustainability of Rain-Fed
Farming Systems in Northern Thailand
10.5.1 Introduction to the Application
This study developed an integrated agent-based model called “CatchScapeFS”,
which was applied to assess the sustainability of agriculture in the case study
village of Bor Krai, located in Mae Hong Son province, as population growth and
the intensive use of agricultural land had raised questions about the sustainability of
this rain-fed farming system.
5
5 This section was written by Chakrit Potchanasin.
396
C. Marohn et al.
soil degradation would move towards critical red to yellow soil levels (Fig. 10.11)
in 2018, with a higher vulnerability in relation to soil erosion (Clemens et al. 2010),
a tendency also shown in the LUCIA approach (Sect. 10.2). Low current soil
fertility levels also pose a challenge to potential soil conservation strategies, as
the build-up of soil fertility will be slow once soil degradation has advanced (Wezel
et al. 2002), as demonstrated in the model simulations. Here lies an apparent
advantage of the FALLOW model, as it allows for the possibility of integrating
different knowledge domains to produce simulations that may be relevant for local
stakeholders and decision-makers. The low data input requirements when compared to data-demanding mechanistic model approaches allow the disclosure of
meaningful insights into local soil degradation phenomena, those relevant for
strategic planning. While absolute maize yields simulated with FALLOW may be
less detailed when compared to the LUCIA simulations presented before
(Sect. 10.2), the phenomenon of yield increase masking soil degradation is common
to both approaches.
Overall, the presented study has an important message to convey at the community level. If resource managers resist changing current cropping practices, environmental degradation will adversely affect the livelihoods of farmers and will be
increasingly difficult to reverse. Yet this problem has a much broader regional
dimension, as the case study presented here is a typical example of the challenges
currently faced across the north-western mountainous provinces of Vietnam. This
study has shown that building on an iterative participatory approach to obtain input
variables that are suitable for semi-quantitative modelling – as a methodological
pathway to foster the implementation of sustainable upland cropping practices, has
proven its usefulness in a data-poor environment.
10.5 Case Study 4: Agent-Based Modeling on the CORMAS
Platform to Examine the Sustainability of Rain-Fed
Farming Systems in Northern Thailand
10.5.1 Introduction to the Application
This study developed an integrated agent-based model called “CatchScapeFS”,
which was applied to assess the sustainability of agriculture in the case study
village of Bor Krai, located in Mae Hong Son province, as population growth and
the intensive use of agricultural land had raised questions about the sustainability of
this rain-fed farming system.
5
5 This section was written by Chakrit Potchanasin.
396
C. Marohn et al.