Published 1993
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Use of the SCUAF model to simulate natural miombo woodland and maize monoculture ecosystems in Zimbabwe

Creators

  • 1. University of Zimbabwe
  • 2. Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Programme, UNESCO-ROSTA, Nairobi, Kenya
  • 3. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
  • 4. Department of Research and Specialist Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Zimbabwe

Description

'Soil Changes Under Agroforestry' (SCUAF), a computer model designed to predict changes in erosion, soil carbon and soil nitrogen over time within various agroforestry systems and climatic regimes, was assessed using input data from an undisturbed miombo woodland and an adjacent maize field in Zimbabwe. Predicted changes in soil carbon were in a realistic range for both miombo and maize treatments. However, the accuracy of the model may be a reflection of the detail required in its initialisation. Several problematic relationships were found within the model, in particular inconsistent patterns between nitrogen uptake and plant productivity under complex fertilisation simulations and a lack of attenuation of productivity in the simulation of miombo woodland as it approached maturity.
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