Technical Coefficient Generators for quantifying land use systems

Abstract

Many approaches to land use modeling employ linear programming techniques. Technical Coefficient Generators are expert systems designed to “generate” the technical coefficients of land use systems, herds and feed supplements used in linear programming models. The generated coefficients represent inputs and outputs of the production systems. This chapter describes two generic Technical Coefficient Generators, PASTOR (Pasture and Animal System Technical coefficient generatOR) and LUCTOR (Land Use Crop Technical coefficient generatOR), both of which quantify land use systems based on the integration of systems-analytical knowledge and expert knowledge. PASTOR quantifies pasture land use systems, herds and feed supplements in livestock production, while LUCTOR is concerned with annual, perennial and timber systems and managed natural forest. The main inputs quantified are labor requirements, fertilizers, biocides and associated costs. Outputs consist of yield and associated sustainability indicators: changes in soil N, P and K stocks (△ stock); N losses via leaching, volatilization and (de)nitrification; quantities of the active ingredients applied in biocides and a so-called biocide index. PASTOR and LUCTOR are illustrated with data from the northern Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica.