Modeling Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics for Soil Management

Book excerpt: Good management practices for carbon and nitrogen are vital to crop productivity and soil sustainability, as well as to the reduction of global greenhouse gases and environmental pollution. Since the 1950's, mathematical models have advanced our understanding of carbon and nitrogen cycling at both the micro- and macro-scales. However, many of the models are scattered in the literature, undergo constant modification, and similar models can have different names. Modeling Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics for Soil Management clarifies the confusion by presenting a systematic summary of the various models available. It provides information about strengths and weaknesses, level of complexity, easiness of use, and application range of each model. In nineteen chapters, internationally known model developers and users update you on the current status and future direction of carbon and nitrogen modeling. The book's coverage ranges from theoretical comparison of models to application of models to soil management problems, from laboratory applications to field and watershed scale applications, from short-term simulation to long-term prediction, and from DOS-based computer programs to Object-Oriented and Graphical Interface designs. With this broad scope, Modeling Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics for Soil Management provides the tools to manage complex carbon/nitrogen processes effectively.