Purpose and scope
The platform has been developed for education, outreach, and awareness. It helps users understand spatial patterns, compare scenarios, and discuss water management trade-offs.
Manage visibility & styles
Method
Fetches daily climate data from NASA POWER for all Morocco weather stations and saves it to the database. ET0 (Blaney-Criddle & Penman-Monteith) is calculated automatically for every saved record.
Water Mangement and Planning Management Scenarios in the frame work of the WEFE nexus will bee soon available.
Browse the game state, manage visibility, and work through assets, resources, and overlays from one structured panel.
Game setup
Select the scenario, session, and active year before using the map tools below.
Boundary tools
Control the scenario boundary and import or edit it when needed.
Flows & overlays
Reveal water and energy fluxes, then refine which flows should remain visible.
Visibility & editing
Turn asset layers on, choose how they render, and access editing tools.
Asset catalog
Open categories first, then drill into each asset type and its individual records.
Visibility & editing
Control resource nodes, labels, and display mode from one place.
Resource catalog
Browse resource families first, then expand each type to inspect individual entries.
Overlay sources
Attach external GIS layers and keep them grouped separately from gameplay data.
No extra layers added yet
You must be a participant in the selected game session to create or manage assets and resources. Please select a session where you are a participant, or contact the session administrator.
Click on the map to create boundary vertices. Double-click to finish.
Click on the map to create layer geometry. Double-click to finish.
Click on the map to create asset. Use point for buildings, polygon for areas.
Geometry type is automatically set based on asset type
Select a session first to see available players
Click on the map to create a resource node. Use point for source, polygon for resource areas.
Select the geometry type for this resource node
Tolerance Guide:
Geographic (lat/lon):
0.0001 = light (~11m)
0.001 = moderate (~111m)
0.01 = heavy (~1.1km)
Projected (meters):
1 = light (1m)
10 = moderate (10m)
100 = heavy (100m)
Tolerance Guide:
Geographic (lat/lon):
0.0001 = light (~11m)
0.001 = moderate (~111m)
0.01 = heavy (~1.1km)
Projected (meters):
1 = light (1m)
10 = moderate (10m)
100 = heavy (100m)
Original points:
-
New points:
-
Reduction:
-
Platform notice
This platform is designed to support learning, exploration, and awareness around water management challenges. It is best used as an educational and communication tool, not as a substitute for validated operational analysis.
The platform has been developed for education, outreach, and awareness. It helps users understand spatial patterns, compare scenarios, and discuss water management trade-offs.
We are not responsible for the use of this platform or its outputs in official, legal, regulatory, engineering, or investment decisions. Critical uses should rely on validated datasets, expert review, and formal procedures.
The information displayed here comes from open-access APIs, publicly available datasets, and web-collected sources. Availability, update frequency, and completeness can vary by source and by layer.
If you need a workflow for operational monitoring, custom dashboards, or decision-support tools, please contact us for dedicated development adapted to your context and quality requirements.
Before sharing or applying a result, verify the date range, inspect the original source, and confirm whether the layer was intended for awareness, screening, or formal analysis.
Share an idea, a correction, or a feature request.
Storage Asset Editor
Water allocations, rainfall-runoff assumptions, and balance outputs.
Loading water balance data...
Total Allocated Water
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Total Water Allocation
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Net Balance
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The runoff coefficient is a dimensionless parameter that represents the fraction of rainfall that becomes surface runoff. It is calculated based on the land use composition within the dam's watershed using OpenStreetMap data.
The runoff coefficient (C) is a dimensionless number between 0 and 1 that represents the proportion of rainfall that becomes surface runoff rather than infiltrating into the soil or being evaporated.
The runoff coefficient is essential for:
• Estimating peak discharge during rainfall events
• Designing dam spillways and flood management systems
• Calculating water availability for irrigation and supply
• Assessing watershed response to land use changes
Where:
• $C_i$ = Runoff coefficient for land use type i
• $A_i$ = Area of land use type i within the watershed
• $A_{total}$ = Total watershed area
• $n$ = Number of different land use types
Land use data is obtained from OpenStreetMap (OSM) using the Overpass API. The system queries the watershed boundary polygon and extracts all tagged features with landuse, natural, and building attributes.
The following table shows typical runoff coefficients for different land use types:
| Land Use Type | Coefficient | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Forest / Wood | 0.10 - 0.15 | Dense vegetation, high infiltration |
| Grassland / Meadow | 0.15 - 0.25 | Moderate infiltration |
| Farmland / Agricultural | 0.30 - 0.45 | Cultivated land with variable infiltration |
| Residential (Low Density) | 0.40 - 0.50 | Scattered buildings with green space |
| Residential (High Density) | 0.60 - 0.70 | Dense urban development |
| Commercial / Retail | 0.80 - 0.90 | Mostly impervious surfaces |
| Industrial | 0.70 - 0.80 | Factories and warehouses |
| Wetland / Water | 0.05 | High infiltration and storage |
If a land use type is not found in the watershed, a default coefficient of 0.50 is used. The final watershed runoff coefficient is the area-weighted average of all identified land use types.
First, download the watershed boundary for your dam using the 'Download Watershed' button in the Watershed Information section. This delineates the drainage area that contributes runoff to your dam.
Click the calculator button next to the 'Runoff Coefficient' field. The system will:
• Query OpenStreetMap for land use data within the watershed
• Calculate the area of each land use type
• Compute the weighted average runoff coefficient
• Automatically populate the field with the calculated value
A success notification will show the calculated coefficient and the dominant land use type. The browser console will display a detailed breakdown of all land use types found in the watershed.
You can manually adjust the runoff coefficient if you have local knowledge or more detailed land use data. The calculated value serves as a good starting point based on OSM data.
Runoff coefficients are based on standard hydrological references and vary by soil type, slope, and vegetation. The values used here are typical for the Rational Method and may need adjustment based on local conditions. For more information, consult hydrological design manuals or local water resource agencies.
The water balance calculation determines how water flows through the dam system, accounting for inflows, losses, and outputs. It helps predict dam storage levels, spillway discharge, and water availability for supply.
Where:
• $Q_{rainfall}$ = Direct rainfall on dam surface (Mm³)
• $Q_{runoff}$ = Runoff from watershed (Mm³)
• $Q_{allocated}$ = Water allocated to dam from other sources (Mm³)
This is the total water entering the dam system during the turn.
Where:
• $P$ = Annual precipitation (mm)
• $A_{surface}$ = Dam surface area (km²)
• 1000 = Conversion factor (mm to m, km² to Mm³)
Direct rainfall falling on the dam water surface.
Where:
• $P$ = Annual precipitation (mm)
• $A_{watershed}$ = Watershed area (km²)
• $C$ = Runoff coefficient (0-1)
• 1000 = Conversion factor
Runoff generated from rainfall over the watershed, adjusted by the runoff coefficient based on land use.
Where:
• $E$ = Daily evaporation rate (mm/day)
• $A_{surface}$ = Dam surface area (km²)
• 365 = Days per year
• 1000000 = Conversion to Mm³
Water lost to evaporation from the dam surface. Higher in arid climates and during hot seasons.
Where:
• $S$ = Daily seepage rate (mm/day)
• $A_{surface}$ = Dam surface area (km²)
• 365 = Days per year
• 1000000 = Conversion to Mm³
Water lost through seepage through dam walls and infiltration into surrounding soil. Depends on dam construction quality and soil permeability.
Sum of all water losses from the dam system.
Water available after accounting for losses. This is the net water that can be stored or released from the dam.
Where:
• $V_{current}$ = Current dam volume (Mm³)
• $Q_{net}$ = Net inflow (Mm³)
• $V_{capacity}$ = Total dam capacity (Mm³)
Water that must be released through spillways when the dam reaches capacity. Prevents overflow and dam failure.
Percentage of dam capacity filled after accounting for inflows, losses, and spillway discharge. Indicates dam fullness level.
Where:
• $Q_{available}$ = Available volume for allocation (Mm³)
• $Q_{demand}$ = Total water demand from allocations (Mm³)
Water that can be supplied to users. Limited by available volume and total demand.
Where:
• $Q_{discharge}$ = Water discharge through turbines (m³)
• $H$ = Gross head (m)
• $\rho$ = Water density (1000 kg/m³)
• $g$ = Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
• $\eta$ = Turbine efficiency (0-1)
• 3600000 = Conversion to MWh
Electrical energy generated from water flowing through turbines. Only calculated if hydropower is enabled.
The system supports two methods for calculating runoff from precipitation:
Where:
• $P$ = Precipitation (mm)
• $I_a$ = Initial abstraction (mm) = 0.2 × S
• $S$ = Maximum potential retention (mm) = (25400/CN) - 254
• $CN$ = Curve number (30-100)
More accurate for varying soil and land use conditions.
Where:
• $C$ = Runoff coefficient (0-1)
• $I$ = Rainfall intensity (mm/time)
• $A$ = Watershed area (km²)
Simpler method, suitable for small watersheds and quick estimates.
Runoff is the portion of precipitation that flows over the land surface into streams and rivers. The calculated runoff depends on the selected calculation method and watershed characteristics.
Runoff is the water that flows over the land surface after precipitation. It includes direct runoff from rainfall and baseflow from groundwater. The amount of runoff depends on precipitation, watershed characteristics, soil type, land use, and antecedent moisture conditions.
Where:
• $Q$ = Direct runoff (mm)
• $P$ = Precipitation (mm)
• $I_a$ = Initial abstraction (mm) = 0.2 × S
• $S$ = Maximum potential retention (mm) = (25400/CN) - 254
• $CN$ = Curve Number (30-100)
• $Q_{mm}$ = Runoff in millimeters
• $A_{km^2}$ = Watershed area in square kilometers
• 1000 = Conversion factor to Mm³
CN depends on soil type and land use:
• Low CN (30-50): Forests, grasslands, sandy soils
• Medium CN (50-75): Agricultural land, mixed soil types
• High CN (75-100): Urban areas, clay soils, impervious surfaces
Where:
• $Q$ = Runoff (Mm³)
• $C$ = Runoff coefficient (0-1)
• $P$ = Annual precipitation (mm)
• $ET$ = Evapotranspiration during rainfall season (mm)
• $A$ = Watershed area (km²)
• $C$ = Runoff coefficient (0-1)
• $P$ = Annual precipitation (mm)
• $ET$ = Evapotranspiration (mm)
• $A$ = Watershed area (km²)
• 1000 = Conversion factor to Mm³
Note: The evapotranspiration is subtracted from precipitation to account for water losses due to evaporation and plant transpiration during the rainfall season. Only the remaining water can become runoff.
C depends on land use and soil permeability:
• Low C (0.05-0.20): Forests, wetlands, sandy soils
• Medium C (0.20-0.50): Grasslands, agricultural land
• High C (0.50-1.00): Urban areas, impervious surfaces
Higher precipitation increases runoff. The relationship is non-linear due to initial abstraction and infiltration.
Soil infiltration capacity affects runoff. Clay soils have low infiltration (high runoff), while sandy soils have high infiltration (low runoff).
Vegetation and surface cover affect runoff. Forests and grasslands reduce runoff, while urban areas and impervious surfaces increase it.
Steeper slopes increase runoff velocity and reduce infiltration time, resulting in higher runoff.
Soil moisture before rainfall affects infiltration capacity. Wet soils have less infiltration capacity, resulting in higher runoff.
The calculated runoff is automatically updated when you change the precipitation, watershed area, calculation method, curve number, or runoff coefficient. This value represents the annual runoff from the watershed that contributes to dam inflow.
Wastewater Asset Editor
Review treatment capacity, water quality, resource recovery, and financial performance using the same compact interface language as the main game form.
Loading agricultural data...
Agriculture Asset Editor
Allocated water, perimeter water consumptions, cropping systems, and nexus indicators.
Water-Energy-Food-Environment Interconnections
Downloads satellite data for this asset including imagery, vegetation indices, and water consumption estimates.
Check this option to download the clipped GeoTIFF file in addition to saving the data to the database.
Download satellite data for your asset including rainfall, temperature, evapotranspiration, land cover, productivity, and soil moisture data from various sources like NASA, CHIRPS, and WAPOR.
Download precipitation data from multiple sources:
NASA temperature data including minimum, maximum, and average temperatures.
WAPOR evapotranspiration data:
Land cover classification data from WAPOR and Copernicus sources.
WAPOR productivity indicators:
WAPOR Relative Soil Moisture (RSM) data.
Downloaded data is provided in CSV format with the following columns:
Interactive pie chart visualization of cropping system parameters
Loading chart...
Cultivated area aggregated by irrigation method
Evolution of calculated variables across game turns
Comprehensive view of all form fields and calculated variables
Compare numerical values across all cropping systems
Define projected irrigated area for future years. The system will automatically calculate linear interpolation for all intermediate years.
Allocate water consumption by source. Total must equal calculated demand.
Information:
This will populate the AssetSoilOccupation model with crop and irrigation data from the selected source.
There are already 0 cropping systems loaded.
What would you like to do?
Select a game session to import cropping systems from
Select a session and asset to view available cropping systems
Water requirements for irrigation are calculated using the FAO Penman-Monteith method, which considers crop water needs, evapotranspiration, rainfall, and irrigation efficiency.
ET0 represents the evapotranspiration rate from a reference surface (grass). It is calculated using meteorological data including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. The system uses data from NASA POWER or WaPOR sources.
ETc is calculated by multiplying ET0 by the crop coefficient (Kc) for each month:
Kc varies by crop type and growth stage. K_red is the reduction coefficient accounting for partial ground cover or stress conditions.
Not all rainfall is available for crop use. Effective rainfall accounts for losses due to runoff and deep percolation:
The effective rainfall coefficient typically ranges from 0.6 to 0.8, depending on soil type, slope, and rainfall intensity. ($C_{eff} = 0.6 - 0.8$)
The net irrigation requirement is the difference between crop water needs and effective rainfall:
If Pe exceeds ETc in any month, the net irrigation requirement for that month is zero. ($NIR = \max(0, ET_c - P_e)$)
Accounts for water losses during conveyance and application. Typical values: Drip irrigation (0.85-0.95), Sprinkler (0.70-0.85), Surface irrigation (0.50-0.70).
ET0 data from NASA POWER or WaPOR. Rainfall data from observed stations, NASA, CHIRPS, or WaPOR. The calculator uses multi-year averages for more reliable estimates.
Calculations are performed monthly and then summed to provide annual water requirements. This accounts for seasonal variations in crop water needs and rainfall patterns.
This methodology follows FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 56: 'Crop Evapotranspiration - Guidelines for computing crop water requirements' (Allen et al., 1998).
{% trans "Irrigation efficiency measures how effectively water is delivered from the source to the crop root zone. It accounts for losses during conveyance, distribution, and application." %}
{% trans "Water is delivered directly to the root zone through emitters. Minimal evaporation and runoff losses. Best for high-value crops and water-scarce regions." %}
{% trans "Water is sprayed over the crop canopy. Some losses due to evaporation and wind drift. Suitable for most field crops and uniform water distribution." %}
{% trans "Water flows over the field surface by gravity. Higher losses due to deep percolation, runoff, and evaporation. Traditional method, lower initial cost but less efficient." %}
{% trans "Water lost during transport from source to field through canals, pipes, or ditches. Seepage and evaporation are main causes." %}
{% trans "How evenly water is distributed across the field. Poor uniformity leads to over-irrigation in some areas and under-irrigation in others." %}
{% trans "Well-maintained systems operate more efficiently. Clogged emitters, leaking pipes, and damaged equipment reduce efficiency." %}
{% trans "Sandy soils have higher infiltration rates leading to deep percolation losses. Clay soils may cause runoff if application rate exceeds infiltration." %}
{% trans "High temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds increase evaporation losses, especially for sprinkler and surface irrigation." %}
{% trans "Irrigation efficiency directly affects the total water needed:" %}
{% trans "Example: If a crop needs 500 mm of water and irrigation efficiency is 70%, the total water to be supplied is 500 / 0.70 = 714 mm." %}
{% trans "FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 33: 'Yield Response to Water' and No. 56: 'Crop Evapotranspiration'. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: 'Irrigation Water Management'." %}
Irrigation network efficiency measures how effectively water is transported and distributed from the source (dam, well, treatment plant) to the field level through the conveyance infrastructure (canals, pipes, pumping stations).
Losses during water transport from source to field through canals, pipes, and pumping stations. Includes seepage, evaporation, and leakage in the distribution infrastructure.
Losses during water application at the field level. Depends on irrigation method (drip, sprinkler, surface) and how effectively water reaches the crop root zone.
The total irrigation system efficiency combines both network and field efficiencies:
Example: If network efficiency is 85% and field efficiency is 70%, the overall system efficiency is 0.85 × 0.70 = 0.595 or 59.5%.
Water lost through unlined or poorly maintained canals. Earthen canals can lose 20-50% of water through seepage into the ground.
Water lost to evaporation from open canals and reservoirs, especially in hot, dry climates. Can account for 5-15% of losses.
Leaks in pressurized pipe networks due to aging infrastructure, poor joints, or damage. Modern piped systems typically have 5-10% losses.
Water wasted during system operation, maintenance, or due to poor water management practices at distribution points.
Longer distribution networks and more complex systems with multiple branches have higher cumulative losses.
Network efficiency affects the total water that must be supplied to the system:
Where:
FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 45: 'Guidelines for Designing and Evaluating Surface Irrigation Systems'. ICID (International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage): 'Irrigation Efficiency and Water Conveyance'.
Evolution of irrigation system metrics across game turns
Compare cost components
This chart shows the breakdown of all cost components that contribute to the Total Crop Cost. Use this to identify the largest cost drivers and optimize your cropping system accordingly.
This guide explains how each calculated variable in the cropping system is computed based on your input parameters.
Important: Most calculations use an 'Effective Area' which is the Area Cultivated multiplied by the Crop Density Factor. This factor accounts for crop density variations (e.g., double cropping, intercropping, or sparse planting).
Where:
• $WR_{req}$ = Water Requirement field (mm/year) - from ET0 × Kc
• $A$ = Area Cultivated (ha)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor (0-1)
• 10 = Conversion factor (ha to m²)
• 1000 = Conversion from mm to m
Represents the theoretical water needed by crops without efficiency adjustments.
Where:
• $NWD$ = Net Water Demand field (mm/year) - from (ET0 × Kc - Rainfall)
• $A$ = Area Cultivated (ha)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor (0-1)
• $K_{red}$ = Reduction Coefficient
• $IE$ = Irrigation Efficiency
• $LR$ = Leaching Requirement Ratio
Represents the actual water needed at field level, adjusted for irrigation efficiency and leaching requirements.
Water not used by crops that returns to the system through deep percolation and runoff.
Where: $IR$ = Infiltration Rate (portion of water that percolates to groundwater)
Where: $Y_{total}$ = Total Yield (kg) = Yield per ha × Area Cultivated × Crop Density Factor
Where:
• $H_{pump}$ = Pumping Head (m) - lifting water to surface/tank
• $Q_{crop}$ = Crop Water Demand (m³)
• $P_{source}$ = Part of energy source (0-1): Grid, Fuel, Gas, Solar, Wind
• $\eta_{source}$ = Motor Pump Yield by source (efficiency, 0-1):
— Grid/Solar/Wind: Electric Motor Pump Yield (default 0.85)
— Fuel: Fuel Motor Pump Yield (default 0.75)
— Gas: Gas Motor Pump Yield (default 0.80)
• $D_{source}$ = Energy density factor:
— Fuel (Diesel): 0.85
— Gas: 0.90
— Grid/Solar/Wind: 1.0
• 9.81 = Gravitational acceleration (m/s²)
Where:
• $H_{press}$ = Pressurization Head (m) - pressure needed for irrigation system
• $\eta_{source}$ = Source-specific motor pump yield (same as pumping energy)
• Other variables same as pumping energy
Where:
• $F_{consumption}$ = Engines fuel consumption (l/day)
• $N_{mech}$ = Number of mechanization days
• $A$ = Area Cultivated (ha)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor
• 10 = Diesel energy content (~10 kWh/liter)
Where:
• $F_{consumption}$ = Engines fuel consumption (l/day)
• $N_{mech}$ = Number of mechanization days
• $A$ = Area Cultivated (ha)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor
• 10 = Diesel energy content (~10 kWh/liter)
Note: This energy is already included in the total Crop Energy Demand above.
Where: $P_{water}$ = Water Price (money/m³)
Grid, Solar, Wind (electric):
$$C_{electric} = E_{source} \times P_{electric}$$
• $E_{source}$ = Energy in kWh
• $P_{electric}$ = Cost per kWh (money/kWh)
Fuel (diesel):
$$C_{fuel} = \frac{E_{fuel}}{10} \times P_{fuel}$$
• $E_{fuel}$ = Energy in kWh
• $10$ = Diesel energy content (kWh/L)
• $P_{fuel}$ = Fuel cost (money/L)
• Division converts kWh to liters
Gas (natural gas):
$$C_{gas} = \frac{E_{gas}}{13.9} \times P_{gas}$$
• $E_{gas}$ = Energy in kWh
• $13.9$ = Natural gas energy content (kWh/kg)
• $P_{gas}$ = Gas cost (money/kg)
• Division converts kWh to kilograms
Where:
• $N_{labour}$ = Number of labour days
• $P_{labour}$ = Labour cost per day (money/ha/day)
• $A$ = Area Cultivated (ha)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor
Where:
• $N_{mech}$ = Number of mechanization days
• $P_{mech}$ = Mechanization cost per day (money/ha/day)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor
Where:
• $Q_{seeds}$ = Seeds quantity (kg/ha)
• $P_{seeds}$ = Seeds price (money/kg)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor
Where:
• $Q_{N}$ = Nitrogen quantity (kg/ha)
• $P_{N}$ = Nitrogen price (money/kg)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor
Where:
• $Q_{P}$, $Q_{K}$ = Phosphorus and Potassium quantities (kg/ha)
• $P_{P}$, $P_{K}$ = Phosphorus and Potassium prices (money/kg)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor
Where:
• $Q_{pest}$ = Pesticide quantity (kg/ha)
• $P_{pest}$ = Pesticide price (money/kg)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor
Includes miscellaneous costs like packaging, storage, transport, etc.
Sum of all production costs for the cropping system.
Where:
• $Y_{total}$ = Total Yield (kg) = Yield per ha × Area × Crop Density
• $P_{crop}$ = Crop Price (money/kg)
Net income after deducting all production costs from total revenue.
Revenue generated per cubic meter of water used. Higher values indicate more efficient water use economically.
Crop yield produced per cubic meter of water used. Measures physical efficiency of water use.
Estimated salt removal through drainage water. Value of 25 kg/ha is a typical estimate for irrigated agriculture.
Where:
• $Q_{N}$ = Nitrogen applied (kg/ha)
• $E_{N}$ = Nitrogen efficiency (typically 0.6-0.7)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor
Represents nitrogen not absorbed by crops that may leach to groundwater or runoff.
Where:
• $Q_{pest}$ = Pesticide applied (kg/ha)
• $E_{pest}$ = Pesticide efficiency (typically 0.7-0.8)
• $D_{crop}$ = Crop Density Factor
Represents pesticide residues that may contaminate water or soil.
Three-Tier Carbon Accounting System
Tier 1: CO₂ Emissions (Energy Only) - Direct emissions from irrigation energy sources (grid, fuel, gas, solar, wind)
Tier 2: Carbon Footprint Base - CO₂ + Agricultural GHG (N₂O from nitrogen, emissions from fertilizer production)
Tier 3: Net Carbon Footprint - Base emissions - Carbon sequestration offset (agroecology systems only)
Agricultural Inputs Reduction Factor (Agroecology Systems)
$$K_{reduce} = \frac{100 - ae\_inputs\_decrease}{100}$$
Where:
• $ae\_inputs\_decrease$ = Agroecology agricultural inputs decrease impact (%, typically 20-30)
• $K_{reduce}$ = Reduction factor applied to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and pesticides
• Example: 20% decrease → $K_{reduce}$ = (100-20)/100 = 0.8
This factor affects:
• Nitrogen inputs applied → Reduces N₂O emissions
• Phosphorus & Potassium inputs → Reduces fertilizer production emissions
• Pesticide application → Reduces pesticide pollution and application costs
CO₂ Emissions - Energy Only (kg CO₂)
$$CO_2 = E_{grid} \cdot f_{grid} + E_{fuel} \cdot f_{fuel} + E_{gas} \cdot f_{gas} + E_{solar} \cdot f_{solar} + E_{wind} \cdot f_{wind}$$
Where:
• $E_{grid}$ = Grid electricity consumption (kWh)
• $E_{fuel}$ = Diesel fuel consumption (L) = $\frac{Energy_{fuel}}{10}$ (kWh ÷ 10 kWh/L)
• $E_{gas}$ = Natural gas consumption (kg) = $\frac{Energy_{gas}}{13.9}$ (kWh ÷ 13.9 kWh/kg)
• $E_{solar}$ = Solar energy consumption (kWh)
• $E_{wind}$ = Wind energy consumption (kWh)
Emission Factors:
• $f_{grid}$ = 0.0543 kg CO₂/kWh (average grid mix)
• $f_{fuel}$ = 3.15 kg CO₂/L (diesel combustion)
• $f_{gas}$ = 2.75 kg CO₂/kg (natural gas combustion)
• $f_{solar}$ = 0.05 kg CO₂/kWh (lifecycle emissions from panel production)
• $f_{wind}$ = 0.01 kg CO₂/kWh (lifecycle emissions from turbine production)
Represents: Direct CO₂ emissions from all energy sources used for irrigation, independent of agricultural inputs.
Carbon Footprint Base - All GHG Emissions (kg CO₂e)
$$CF_{base} = CO_2 + N_2O_{emissions} + Fert_{emissions}$$
Component 1: Energy-Related CO₂
$$CO_2 = \text{(See above formula)}$$
Component 2: N₂O Emissions from Nitrogen Fertilizer
$$N_2O_{emissions} = A_{eff} \times N \times K_{reduce} \times 1.325$$
Where:
• $N$ = Nitrogen application rate (kg/ha) - user input
• $K_{reduce}$ = Agroecology inputs reduction factor (see above)
• $A_{eff}$ = Effective Area = Area Cultivated × Crop Density Factor (ha)
• 1.325 = N₂O GWP emission factor (kg CO₂e per kg N)
• N₂O is 298× more potent than CO₂ as a greenhouse gas
Component 3: Fertilizer Production Emissions (P & K)
$$Fert_{emissions} = A_{eff} \times (P + K) \times K_{reduce} \times 0.5$$
Where:
• $P$ = Phosphorus application rate (kg/ha) - user input
• $K$ = Potassium application rate (kg/ha) - user input
• $K_{reduce}$ = Agroecology inputs reduction factor
• 0.5 = Fertilizer production emission factor (kg CO₂e per kg P+K)
• Manufacturing synthetic fertilizers is energy-intensive
Impact of Agroecology: When agroecology system is active with inputs decrease = 20%, the applied nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are reduced by 20%, proportionally reducing N₂O and fertilizer production emissions.
Carbon Sequestration Offset (kg CO₂e offset)
$$C_{seq} = S_{rate} \times 3.67 \times 1000 \times A_{eff}$$
Where:
• $S_{rate}$ = Carbon sequestration rate from ActionImpact (tC/ha/yr)
• 3.67 = Conversion factor: Molecular weight of CO₂ (44) ÷ Atomic weight of C (12)
• 1000 = Conversion from metric tons (tC) to kilograms
• $A_{eff}$ = Effective Area (ha)
Example Calculation:
• Agroecology sequestration: 2 tC/ha/yr
• Effective area: 100 ha
• $C_{seq}$ = 2 × 3.67 × 1000 × 100 = 734,000 kg CO₂e
For Non-Agroecology Systems: $C_{seq}$ = 0 (no sequestration offset applied)
Interpretation: Only agroecology cropping systems (with ae_carbon_sequestration ActionImpact) receive a carbon sequestration offset.
NET Carbon Footprint (kg CO₂e)
$$CF_{net} = CF_{base} - C_{seq}$$
$$CF_{net} = (CO_2 + N_2O_{emissions} + Fert_{emissions}) - C_{seq}$$
Interpretation:
• Regular Systems: $CF_{net}$ = $CF_{base}$ (no sequestration offset)
• Agroecology Systems: $CF_{net}$ = $CF_{base}$ - $C_{seq}$ (can be negative if sequestration > emissions)
• Negative Footprint: System removes more CO₂ from atmosphere than it emits (carbon negative)
• Positive Footprint: System still emits more than it sequesters (carbon positive)
Nitrate Pollution (affected by inputs reduction)
$$N_{pollution} = A_{eff} \times N \times K_{reduce} \times (1 - E_{N}) \times 4.43$$
Where:
• $N$ = Nitrogen applied (kg/ha)
• $K_{reduce}$ = Agroecology inputs reduction factor (0.8 for 20% decrease)
• $E_{N}$ = Nitrogen use efficiency (typically 0.6-0.7)
• 4.43 = Conversion factor from NO₃-N to NO₃ (molecular weight ratio)
• Agroecology systems reduce nitrogen applied, thus reducing nitrate pollution
Pesticide Pollution (affected by inputs reduction)
$$P_{pollution} = A_{eff} \times Q_{pest} \times K_{reduce} \times (1 - E_{pest})$$
Where:
• $Q_{pest}$ = Pesticide quantity applied (kg/ha)
• $K_{reduce}$ = Agroecology inputs reduction factor (0.8 for 20% decrease)
• $E_{pest}$ = Pesticide efficiency (typically 0.7-0.8)
• Agroecology systems reduce phytosanitary treatments, thus reducing pesticide pollution
Impact Summary: Agroecology vs Regular Systems
| Metric | Agroecology | Regular |
|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Nitrogen Applied | ↓ 20-30% | 100% |
| N₂O Emissions | ↓ 20-30% | 100% |
| Fertilizer Production Emissions | ↓ 20-30% | 100% |
| Nitrate Pollution | ↓ 20-30% | 100% |
| Pesticide Pollution | ↓ 20-30% | 100% |
| Carbon Sequestration | ↑ 1-3 tC/ha/yr | 0 |
💡 Strategies to Reduce Carbon Footprint
Immediate Actions:
• Switch to agroecology system to reduce N inputs and capture sequestration
• Switch to renewable energy (solar, wind) for irrigation pumping
• Use high-efficiency electric motors instead of diesel engines
Medium-Term Strategies:
• Apply nitrogen fertilizer based on soil testing (precision application)
• Use slow-release or controlled-release fertilizers to reduce N₂O
• Optimize timing of fertilizer application
• Implement drip irrigation to improve irrigation efficiency
Long-Term Strategies:
• Transition to agroforestry (trees + crops) for maximum sequestration
• Build soil organic matter through composting and residue incorporation
• Implement conservation agriculture (reduced tillage, cover crops)
Calculations based on FAO guidelines, standard agricultural engineering formulas, and water-energy-food nexus principles. Specific coefficients may vary by region and crop type.
Reference Evapotranspiration (ET0) represents the evapotranspiration rate from a reference surface (hypothetical grass reference crop with specific characteristics). It is a key parameter for calculating crop water requirements.
The system calculates three types of ET0 values for your asset using climate data from the AssetsTimeSeriesData model:
A simplified empirical method that estimates ET0 based on temperature and daylight hours.
Daily ET0 Formula:
Monthly ET0:
Parameters:
Data Sources (AssetsTimeSeriesData):
data_type='temperature_avg'data_type='temperature_avg_nasa'P-Factor (Daylight Hours Percentage):
The p-factor varies by latitude and month. The system automatically selects the appropriate value based on your asset's location.
| Latitude | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0° | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.27 |
| 30° | 0.24 | 0.25 | 0.27 | 0.29 | 0.31 | 0.32 |
| 40° | 0.22 | 0.24 | 0.27 | 0.30 | 0.32 | 0.34 |
Note: Full table includes latitudes from 0° to 60° and all 12 months
The most accurate and widely accepted method for calculating ET0, recommended by FAO. It considers multiple climate variables.
Penman-Monteith Formula:
Parameters:
Required Data (AssetsTimeSeriesData):
data_type='temperature_min_nasa' - Minimum temperaturedata_type='temperature_max_nasa' - Maximum temperaturedata_type='wind_speed_nasa' - Wind speeddata_type='solar_radiation_nasa' - Solar radiationdata_type='pressure_nasa' - Atmospheric pressureAll five variables must be available for Penman-Monteith calculation
Key Supporting Equations:
Saturation Vapor Pressure:
Slope of Vapor Pressure Curve:
Psychrometric Constant:
where P is atmospheric pressure (kPa)
et0_bcet0_bc_nasaet0_pm_nasaBefore calculating ET0, ensure you have downloaded the required climate data:
Use the 'Download data' button to fetch climate data from NASA POWER or other sources
Input Units:
Output Units:
The Future Interventions section allows you to plan long-term changes in irrigated area for a cropping system. This is essential for strategic water resource planning and scenario analysis.
Key Feature: The system automatically calculates linear interpolation between the current state and your target, making it easy to model gradual agricultural expansion or contraction over time.
Model scenarios where irrigated areas will gradually increase over time, such as land development projects or infrastructure improvements.
Plan for reduction in irrigated area due to water scarcity, drought management, or shift to more efficient cropping patterns.
Evaluate the long-term water resource impacts of agricultural policies, subsidies, or regulatory changes that affect cultivation areas.
Compare different growth trajectories to understand their implications on water demand, energy consumption, and economic outcomes.
Enter the projected irrigated area (in hectares) you want to achieve and the target year. The current area is automatically read from the 'Area Cultivated' field in the cropping system.
Example: Current area: 100 ha → Projected area: 150 ha by year 2030
The system calculates intermediate values for all years between the current state and target year using linear interpolation:
Where:
• $A_{turn}$ = Area for a specific turn
• $A_{current}$ = Current area (Turn 1)
• $A_{target}$ = Projected target area
• $n_{steps}$ = Number of turns from current to target
• $turn$ = Turn number being calculated
Example: 100 ha → 150 ha over 5 turns = +10 ha per turn (110, 120, 130, 140, 150)
For all years after the target year, the system maintains the projected area constant. This assumes that once the target is reached, it remains stable.
Example: If target is 150 ha by 2030, years 2031-2035 will all use 150 ha
You must save the cropping system data in Turn 1 before calculating projections. The system needs a baseline to work from.
The projection feature only updates the 'Area Cultivated' field. All other parameters (crop density, water requirements, yields, costs, etc.) remain as defined in Turn 1 unless manually adjusted.
After calculating projections, navigate through the turns to review the interpolated areas. You can manually adjust any turn if needed.
Running the projection calculation again will overwrite any previous projections for this cropping system. Manual edits to future turns will be replaced.
Automatically populate multiple turns instead of manual entry
Ensure smooth, logical transitions between years
Clear mathematical approach to future projections
Visualize long-term impacts of interventions
The projection calculation is performed entirely in your browser (client-side), which means it can handle any number of game turns without backend limitations. The interpolated values are then saved to each turn individually, ensuring data integrity and allowing for manual adjustments if needed.
These metrics aggregate data from all cropping systems in the irrigated perimeter, providing a comprehensive overview of water use, energy consumption, costs, revenue, and environmental impacts.
Where:
• $A_i$ = Area Cultivated of each system (ha)
• $D_{crop,i}$ = Crop Density Factor of each system (0-1)
Sum of effective cultivated areas (Area × Crop Density Factor) across all cropping systems in the perimeter.
Total count of active cropping systems in the irrigated perimeter.
Where:
• $Q_{requirement,i}$ = Crop Water Requirements of each system (m³)
Total water requirement calculated from ET0 × Kc without efficiency adjustment. Represents the theoretical water needed by crops.
Where:
• $Q_{crop,i}$ = Crop Water Demand of each cropping system (m³)
• $\eta_{network}$ = Irrigation network efficiency
Adjusted for irrigation efficiency and network losses to determine total water needed at source.
Where:
• $P_i$ = Rainfall for each system (mm/year)
• $A_i$ = Area of each system (ha)
• 10 = Conversion factor (ha to m²)
• 1000000 = Conversion to Mm³
Sum of recycled water from all systems. Can be allocated to aquifer (infiltration), river (runoff), or evaporation.
Total water percolating to groundwater from all cropping systems.
Total revenue divided by total water consumption. Indicates overall economic efficiency of water use across the perimeter.
Total energy required for pumping water across all cropping systems.
Total energy consumed by agricultural machinery across all systems.
All cost metrics are simple sums across all cropping systems:
Sum of all production costs across all cropping systems in the perimeter.
Sum of revenue from all cropping systems. Represents total income from crop sales.
Net income for the entire irrigated perimeter after deducting all production costs.
Total salt removal through drainage water from all systems.
Where:
• $Q_{total}$ = Total water demand (Mm³)
• $S_{water}$ = Water salinity (g/L)
Salts brought into the system through irrigation water.
Total nitrogen not absorbed by crops that may leach to groundwater or runoff.
Total pesticide residues that may contaminate water or soil.
Where:
$$CO_{2,i} = E_{grid,i} \times 0.5 + E_{fuel,i} \times 2.68 + E_{gas,i} \times 2.75 + E_{solar,i} \times 0.05 + E_{wind,i} \times 0.01$$
Total carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption across all cropping systems. Accounts for different emission factors per energy source:
• Grid: 0.5 kg CO₂/kWh
• Diesel fuel: 2.68 kg CO₂/L
• Natural gas: 2.75 kg CO₂/kg
• Solar: 0.05 kg CO₂/kWh (lifecycle)
• Wind: 0.01 kg CO₂/kWh (lifecycle)
Where:
$$CF_i = CO_{2,i} + (N_i \times 1.325) + ((P_i + K_i) \times 0.5)$$
Total carbon footprint including:
• Direct CO₂ emissions from energy
• N₂O emissions from nitrogen fertilizer (1.325 kg CO₂e/kg N)
• Fertilizer production emissions (0.5 kg CO₂e/kg P+K)
This comprehensive metric captures the full climate impact of agricultural activities across the entire irrigated perimeter.
All metrics are automatically calculated and updated when cropping system data changes. Values represent the sum or weighted average of individual system calculations.
This section displays the water allocations from various sources (dams, resource nodes, water infrastructure) that have been formally allocated to this irrigated perimeter for the current turn.
Allocated water represents the formal water rights or allocations granted to the irrigated perimeter from various water sources. These allocations are typically:
Surface water stored in reservoirs. Allocations depend on reservoir levels and release schedules.
Groundwater wells, springs, or other water sources. Allocations based on sustainable yield and pumping capacity.
Treatment plants, desalination facilities, or water transfer systems. Allocations based on infrastructure capacity.
The water balance shows:
Click the Sankey diagram button to visualize:
This section contains perimeter-level parameters that apply to all cropping systems. These values affect calculations across the entire irrigated perimeter.
Note: The sum of all energy source parts should equal 1.0 to represent 100% of energy supply. For example: Grid 0.6 + Fuel 0.3 + Solar 0.1 = 1.0
Note: Efficiency values directly impact water demand calculations. Higher efficiency means less water is needed for the same crop requirements. Leaching ratio increases total water application to prevent salt buildup.
Maintenance and operational costs are combined with water and energy costs to calculate total irrigation system expenses. These costs vary by infrastructure age, system complexity, and management intensity.
Cropping systems represent the different crop types, irrigation methods, and agricultural practices used in the irrigated perimeter. Each system has its own water requirements, costs, and yields.
A cropping system defines:
Click the 'Add Cropping System' button to create a new system. Fill in crop details, area, irrigation method, and input costs.
Modify any parameter in a cropping system card. Changes are calculated in real-time and shown in the metrics section.
Click the delete button on a system card to remove it. Metrics will update automatically.
Generate cropping systems automatically from statistical data about typical crop distributions in your region.
Visualize the distribution of area, water demand, costs, or revenue across all cropping systems.
The Soil Occupation tool automatically generates cropping systems based on statistical data about typical crop distributions in your region. This saves time when setting up a new irrigated perimeter.
Soil occupation statistics come from:
Essential details about your cropping system
A descriptive name for this cropping system to help you identify it easily. Examples: 'North Field Wheat', 'Greenhouse Tomatoes', 'Orchard Section A'.
The total number of days from planting to harvest. This affects water requirements, labor needs, and overall resource planning.
The agricultural approach or methodology used for cultivation. Different systems have varying resource requirements and yields.
The specific crop or crop category you're cultivating. Each crop has unique water requirements, growth characteristics, and economic values.
The total land area dedicated to this cropping system. This is a key multiplier for all resource calculations.
A multiplier that adjusts resource requirements based on planting density. Higher density means more plants per hectare.
Water management and irrigation system configuration
The technology used to deliver water to crops. Different methods have varying efficiency levels and water distribution patterns.
The amount of water actually needed by the crop at the root zone, excluding losses. Can be calculated using the built-in calculator based on crop coefficients (Kc) and reference evapotranspiration (ET₀).
Annual rainfall that contributes to crop water needs. Only the effective portion (typically 70%) is used in calculations.
A reduction factor for water requirements based on management practices. Values > 1.0 increase demand, < 1.0 decrease it.
The fraction of applied water that reaches the crop root zone. Accounts for conveyance, distribution, and application losses.
Additional water needed to flush salts from the root zone. Essential in areas with saline water or poor drainage. Typical values: 0.1-0.2 for moderate salinity.
Fraction of water lost to deep percolation below the root zone. Should be less than (1 - irrigation efficiency).
Portion of rainfall that's actually available to crops (typically 0.7)
Adjusts water needs based on soil condition (0.7-1.3)
Accounts for extreme weather impacts (0.5-2.0)
Pressure required for drip/sprinkler systems. Determines energy consumption.
Pump efficiency (typically 0.85). Affects energy costs.
Economic parameters and production outputs
Expected crop production per hectare. This is the primary output metric that determines total production and revenue.
Market price per tonne of harvested crop. This determines gross revenue from production.
Cost of human labor for planting, maintenance, and harvesting. Includes wages for all agricultural workers.
Equipment and machinery costs including tractors, harvesters, fuel, and maintenance.
Essential nutrients for crop growth. Requirements vary by crop type and soil conditions.
Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides for crop protection. Includes application costs.
Cost of seeds or seedlings. Higher quality seeds typically cost more but may yield better results.
Miscellaneous expenses including insurance, storage, transport, and administrative costs.
A key metric showing how efficiently water is converted to crop production and economic value.
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Total Water Allocated
0.00 Mm³
Total Water Use
0.00 Mm³
Net Balance
0.00 Mm³
Loading rainfed agriculture data...
This guide explains how each calculated variable in the rainfed cropping system is computed based on your input parameters and rainfall data.
Important: Rainfed agriculture calculations focus on effective rainfall utilization and water deficit analysis, rather than irrigation efficiency.
Where:
• $A$ = Area Cultivated (ha)
• $WR$ = Water Requirement (mm/season)
• $CSF$ = Climate Stress Factor (accounts for drought/heat stress)
• $10$ = Conversion factor from mm·ha to m³
Where:
• $AR$ = Annual Rainfall (mm) - from Rainfed Agricultural Data section
• $ERC$ = Effective Rainfall Coefficient (0.0-1.0) - portion of rainfall available to crops
Note: Not all rainfall is available to crops due to runoff, deep percolation, and evaporation.
If positive, indicates water stress - crop water requirements exceed available rainfall.
If zero, rainfall is sufficient to meet crop water needs.
Where: $Y_{total}$ = Total Production (tons) = Area Cultivated × Yield per Hectare
• $LD$ = Labour Days (days/ha)
• $LC$ = Labour Cost (money/day)
• $MD$ = Mechanization Days (days/ha)
• $MC$ = Mechanization Cost (money/day)
• $SN$ = Seed Needs (kg/ha)
• $SP$ = Seed Price (money/kg)
• $N$ = Nitrogen Application (kg/ha)
• $NP$ = Nitrogen Price (money/kg)
• $P$ = Phosphorus Application (kg/ha)
• $FP$ = Fertilizer Price (money/kg)
• $PT$ = Phytosanitary Treatment (kg/ha)
• $PP$ = Pesticide Price (money/L)
• $OC$ = Other Production Cost per Ton (money/ton)
• $Y_{total}$ = Total Production (tons)
• $EP$ = Expected Product Price (money/ton)
Positive values indicate profitable operation, negative values indicate losses.
Gross profit earned per cubic meter of water demanded (money/m³).
Kilograms of product produced per cubic meter of water demanded (kg/m³).
• $NUE$ = Nitrogen Use Efficiency (default 0.8 = 80%)
• $1.5$ = Conversion factor for nitrate formation
• $PE$ = Pesticide Efficiency (default 0.8 = 80%)
Components:
• $E_{N2O} = A \times N \times 1.325$ (N₂O emissions from nitrogen)
• $E_{fert} = A \times (P + K) \times 0.5$ (fertilizer production)
• $E_{mech} = MD \times A \times 10 \times 2.68$ (mechanization, assuming 10L diesel/day)
Where:
• $A$ = Area Cultivated (ha)
• $Y$ = Yield per Hectare (t/ha)
• $CSF$ = Carbon Sequestration Factor (kg CO₂e/t, typical: 200-400 for crops)
Note: Carbon sequestration represents CO₂ absorbed by plants during photosynthesis and stored in biomass and soil organic matter.
Unlike irrigated agriculture, rainfed systems depend on natural rainfall. Water deficit indicates when supplementary irrigation or drought-resistant varieties may be needed.
Typical values: 0.5-0.8 depending on soil type, slope, and conservation practices. Higher values indicate better rainfall retention.
Increases water requirements during drought or heat stress conditions. Values >1.0 indicate stress conditions that increase crop water needs.
These metrics aggregate data from all cropping systems in the rainfed agriculture area, providing a comprehensive overview of water availability, water deficit, costs, revenue, and environmental impacts specific to rainfed farming.
Sum of cultivated areas across all cropping systems in the rainfed agriculture area.
Total count of active cropping systems in the rainfed agriculture area.
Where:
• $A_i$ = Cultivated area of each crop (ha)
• $WR_i$ = Water requirement of each crop (mm)
• 10 = Conversion factor (1 ha = 10,000 m², 1 mm = 0.001 m, so 1 mm×ha = 10 m³)
• 1,000,000 = Conversion from m³ to Mm³
Sum of water needed for all cropping systems during the growing season.
Where:
• $P$ = Annual rainfall (mm)
• $A$ = Total cultivated area (ha)
• $C_e$ = Effective rainfall coefficient (0-1)
• 10 = Conversion factor (ha to m²)
• 1,000,000 = Conversion to Mm³
The portion of rainfall that is actually available for crop use after accounting for runoff and other losses.
The gap between water demand and effective rainfall. If negative, sufficient rainfall meets crop needs. Positive values indicate supplementary irrigation or water stress.
💡 Note: For saved systems, the metrics use the precise calculated values from the database. For new/unsaved systems, costs are estimated using per-hectare input values multiplied by cultivated area.
Sum of labour costs from all cropping systems. For saved systems, uses calculated values (Area × Days × Cost/Day). For new systems, uses Area × Labour Cost Per Hectare.
Each cost component is summed across all systems. Saved systems use their detailed calculations based on actual input quantities and prices. New systems use per-hectare cost inputs.
Sum of all production costs including labour, mechanization, inputs, and other expenses.
Where:
• $Y_i$ = Yield of each crop (t/ha)
• $A_i$ = Area of each crop (ha)
• $P_i$ = Price per unit (money/t)
Total income from crop sales across all systems.
Total revenue minus total production costs. Indicates overall economic viability of the rainfed agriculture system.
Economic return per cubic meter of water used. Higher values indicate more efficient water use.
Where:
• $A_i$ = Cultivated area (ha)
• $N_i$ = Nitrogen application (kg/ha)
• $E_n$ = Nitrogen use efficiency (default 0.8)
• $R_n$ = Nitrification rate (default 0.3)
For saved systems, uses calculated values based on actual nitrogen inputs. For new systems, estimates based on nitrogen cost.
Where:
• $A_i$ = Cultivated area (ha)
• $P_i$ = Pesticide application (kg/ha)
• $E_p$ = Pesticide treatment efficiency (default 0.8)
For saved systems, uses calculated values. For new systems, estimates based on pesticide cost.
For saved systems, uses detailed calculation based on actual inputs (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pesticides, labour, mechanization). For new systems, uses simplified estimate of 100 kg CO₂e per hectare. Total greenhouse gas emissions from all rainfed agriculture activities.
Where:
• $A_i$ = Cultivated area of each crop (ha)
• $Y_i$ = Yield per hectare (t/ha)
• $F_i$ = Carbon sequestration factor (kg CO₂e/t)
Total carbon dioxide equivalent sequestered by crops through photosynthesis and biomass production. This represents the positive environmental impact of crop growth in capturing atmospheric carbon.
💡 Note: The carbon sequestration factor varies by crop type and farming practices. Typical values range from 200-400 kg CO₂e per ton of crop production. Higher values indicate crops with greater carbon capture potential.
These fields define the general characteristics of your rainfed agriculture area. They provide the environmental, soil, and economic context that applies to all cropping systems within this rainfed area.
The total land area designated for rainfed agriculture, measured in hectares. This includes both cultivated and fallow land.
💡 Typical Range: 10-10,000 ha depending on farm size and region
The portion of the total area that is actively cultivated with crops. This should be less than or equal to the total area.
💡 Note: The difference between total and cultivated area represents fallow land, infrastructure, or buffer zones.
The average annual precipitation in millimeters for your location. This is the primary water source for rainfed agriculture.
🌍 Global Context:
• Arid: <250 mm/year
• Semi-arid: 250-500 mm/year
• Sub-humid: 500-1000 mm/year
• Humid: >1000 mm/year
The fraction of total rainfall that is actually available for crop use. Accounts for losses due to runoff, deep percolation, and evaporation.
📊 Typical Values:
• Sandy soil: 0.5-0.6
• Loamy soil: 0.7-0.8
• Clay soil: 0.6-0.7
• With conservation practices: 0.8-0.9
The coefficient of variation of annual rainfall. Higher values indicate greater year-to-year unpredictability, increasing production risk.
⚠️ Risk Levels:
• Low variability: <0.2
• Moderate: 0.2-0.3
• High: 0.3-0.5
• Very high: >0.5
A multiplier representing overall soil fertility and health. Affects crop productivity. Values >1.0 indicate above-average soil quality, <1.0 indicate degraded soils.
🎯 Interpretation:
• Degraded: 0.7-0.85
• Average: 0.85-1.15
• Good: 1.15-1.25
• Excellent: 1.25-1.3
The total depth of plant-available water that can be stored in the soil profile. Critical for crop survival during dry spells between rainfall events.
Where:
• $FC$ = Field capacity
• $PWP$ = Permanent wilting point
• $D_{root}$ = Root zone depth
📏 By Soil Type:
• Sandy: 80-120 mm
• Loamy: 150-200 mm
• Clay: 180-250 mm
The fraction of rainfall that infiltrates into the soil rather than running off. Higher values mean more water enters the soil.
🌊 Factors Affecting:
• Soil texture and structure
• Slope steepness
• Vegetation cover
• Conservation practices
Annual cost per hectare for maintaining rainfed agriculture infrastructure and general land maintenance. Includes terraces, contour bunds, access roads, etc.
Annual operational expenses per hectare not directly related to crop production. Includes land taxes, insurance, general farm overhead, administrative costs.
The inherent risk of soil erosion based on topography, soil type, and climate. Higher values indicate greater erosion susceptibility.
⚠️ Risk Categories:
• Low: <0.2 (flat, well-vegetated)
• Moderate: 0.2-0.4 (gentle slopes)
• High: 0.4-0.6 (steep slopes)
• Very high: >0.6 (very steep, bare soil)
The effectiveness of implemented soil and water conservation practices in reducing erosion and improving water retention. Higher values indicate better conservation.
🌾 Practice Examples:
• Contour farming: 0.5-0.6
• Terracing: 0.7-0.8
• Mulching + cover crops: 0.8-0.9
• Integrated conservation: 0.9-1.0
The Soil Occupation feature generates comprehensive land use data for your game session based on real agricultural data sources. This helps populate realistic cropping patterns and irrigation types for rainfed agriculture scenarios.
Real agricultural census data from 2016 providing detailed crop and irrigation information.
Provincial-level agricultural statistics providing broader coverage.
Groups data by individual crop types (wheat, barley, olives, etc.) with their specific irrigation methods.
Groups data by agricultural value chains (cereals, fruits, vegetables, etc.) for broader category analysis.
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This will populate the GameSoilOccupation model with rainfed crop data from the selected source. Only parcels that intersect the current scenario boundary and have 'Bour' or 'Bour (Rainfed)' irrigation type will be included.
Interactive visualization of cropping system parameters
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Area, Yield, and Production Evolution by Crop and Year
Evolution of aggregate metrics across game turns
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These metrics aggregate data from all cropping systems in the rainfed agriculture area, providing a comprehensive overview of water availability, water deficit, costs, revenue, and environmental impacts specific to rainfed farming.
Sum of cultivated areas across all cropping systems in the rainfed agriculture area.
Total count of active cropping systems in the rainfed agriculture area.
Where:
• $A_i$ = Cultivated area of each crop (ha)
• $WR_i$ = Water requirement of each crop (mm)
• 10 = Conversion factor (1 ha = 10,000 m², 1 mm = 0.001 m, so 1 mm×ha = 10 m³)
• 1,000,000 = Conversion from m³ to Mm³
Sum of water needed for all cropping systems during the growing season.
Where:
• $P$ = Annual rainfall (mm)
• $A$ = Total cultivated area (ha)
• $C_e$ = Effective rainfall coefficient (0-1)
• 10 = Conversion factor (ha to m²)
• 1,000,000 = Conversion to Mm³
The portion of rainfall that is actually available for crop use after accounting for runoff and other losses.
The gap between water demand and effective rainfall. If negative, sufficient rainfall meets crop needs. Positive values indicate supplementary irrigation or water stress.
💡 Note: For saved systems, the metrics use the precise calculated values from the database. For new/unsaved systems, costs are estimated using per-hectare input values multiplied by cultivated area.
Sum of labour costs from all cropping systems. For saved systems, uses calculated values (Area × Days × Cost/Day). For new systems, uses Area × Labour Cost Per Hectare.
Each cost component is summed across all systems. Saved systems use their detailed calculations based on actual input quantities and prices. New systems use per-hectare cost inputs.
Sum of all production costs including labour, mechanization, inputs, and other expenses.
Where:
• $Y_i$ = Yield of each crop (t/ha)
• $A_i$ = Area of each crop (ha)
• $P_i$ = Price per unit (money/t)
Total income from crop sales across all systems.
Total revenue minus total production costs. Indicates overall economic viability of the rainfed agriculture system.
Economic return per cubic meter of water used. Higher values indicate more efficient water use.
Where:
• $A_i$ = Cultivated area (ha)
• $N_i$ = Nitrogen application (kg/ha)
• $E_n$ = Nitrogen use efficiency (default 0.8)
• $R_n$ = Nitrification rate (default 0.3)
For saved systems, uses calculated values based on actual nitrogen inputs. For new systems, estimates based on nitrogen cost.
Where:
• $A_i$ = Cultivated area (ha)
• $P_i$ = Pesticide application (kg/ha)
• $E_p$ = Pesticide treatment efficiency (default 0.8)
For saved systems, uses calculated values. For new systems, estimates based on pesticide cost.
For saved systems, uses detailed calculation based on actual inputs (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pesticides, labour, mechanization). For new systems, uses simplified estimate of 100 kg CO₂e per hectare. Total greenhouse gas emissions from all rainfed agriculture activities.
Where:
• $A_i$ = Cultivated area of each crop (ha)
• $Y_i$ = Yield per hectare (t/ha)
• $F_i$ = Carbon sequestration factor (kg CO₂e/t)
Total carbon dioxide equivalent sequestered by crops through photosynthesis and biomass production. This represents the positive environmental impact of crop growth in capturing atmospheric carbon.
💡 Note: The carbon sequestration factor varies by crop type and farming practices. Typical values range from 200-400 kg CO₂e per ton of crop production. Higher values indicate crops with greater carbon capture potential.
Drought indices are quantitative measures used to assess the severity and extent of drought conditions in a specific region. These indices combine meteorological and vegetation data to provide a comprehensive understanding of drought status. They are essential tools for water resource management, agricultural planning, and climate monitoring.
Definition: The SPI measures the deviation of precipitation from the long-term average, standardized to account for the variability of precipitation at different time scales.
Calculation: SPI = (Precipitation - Mean) / Standard Deviation
Range: -3 to +3
Interpretation:
Use Case: Ideal for assessing precipitation-based drought conditions at various time scales (1, 3, 6, 12 months)
Definition: The SPEI extends the SPI by incorporating both precipitation and temperature (through evapotranspiration), providing a more comprehensive drought assessment that accounts for water demand.
Calculation: SPEI = (Precipitation - Potential Evapotranspiration) standardized
Range: -3 to +3
Interpretation: Same as SPI, but accounts for temperature effects on water availability
Use Case: Better for regions with significant temperature variations and for assessing agricultural drought
Definition: NDVI measures vegetation greenness and health by comparing red and near-infrared light reflected by vegetation.
Calculation: NDVI = (NIR - Red) / (NIR + Red)
Range: -1 to +1
Interpretation:
Use Case: Direct indicator of vegetation stress and drought impact on crops and natural vegetation
Definition: VCI normalizes NDVI values relative to historical minimum and maximum values, providing a relative measure of vegetation condition.
Calculation: VCI = (NDVI - NDVImin) / (NDVImax - NDVImin) × 100
Range: 0-100%
Interpretation:
Use Case: Identifies vegetation stress relative to historical norms, useful for early drought detection
Definition: TCI measures temperature stress on vegetation by normalizing land surface temperature relative to historical extremes.
Calculation: TCI = (TSTmax - TST) / (TSTmax - TSTmin) × 100
Range: 0-100%
Interpretation:
Use Case: Identifies heat stress on vegetation, important for assessing drought severity in hot regions
Definition: VHI combines VCI and TCI to provide a comprehensive vegetation health assessment that accounts for both moisture and temperature stress.
Calculation: VHI = 0.1 × VCI + 0.9 × TCI
Range: 0-100%
Interpretation:
Use Case: Comprehensive drought indicator combining moisture and temperature effects, best for overall drought assessment
Minimum Data Period: At least 12 months of historical data is recommended for accurate calculations
Data Sources:
Temporal Resolution: Monthly aggregated data for consistency and reliability
Database Model: DamWatershedTimeSeriesData
Key Columns Used:
Data Types Used for Calculations:
NDVI & Vegetation Indices:
NDVI and related vegetation indices (VCI, TCI, VHI) are calculated at the watershed centroid location. The centroid represents the geographic center of the watershed area and is used as the representative point for extracting satellite vegetation data.
Why Centroid?
Precipitation & Temperature: These indices use point-based data extracted at the watershed centroid from global meteorological datasets (NASA POWER API).
Drought indices will be calculated for this specific month
Minimum 12 months of data recommended
Should be today or recent date
Results will appear below after calculation:
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Note: Calculations may take a few moments. Ensure you have at least 12 months of historical data for accurate results.
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Allow all users to see this scenario
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Session Control
Update the session identity, scenario pressures, and turn structure from one focused control panel.
Editing
Selected session
Mode
Game settings & turns
Viewport
Optimized for desktop and mobile
Name the session clearly and control how visible it is to other users.
Allow all users to see this game session
Adjust the background growth assumptions that influence the simulation over time.
Rate of economic growth per turn (%)
Shape the disruption profile of the session by tuning hazard probabilities.
Chance of drought per turn (%)
Chance of flooding per turn (%)
Define long-horizon temperature and precipitation trends for the session.
Temperature increase per year (°C/year)
Precipitation decrease per year (mm/year)
Review turn order, update years, and keep summaries readable as the timeline evolves.
Are you sure you want to delete this scenario? This action cannot be undone.
Groundwater Resource Editor
Configure hydraulic properties, water balance, quality indicators, and energy assumptions for this aquifer with the same visual language used in the main game form.
Configure specific data parameters for this groundwater aquifer resource. This will allow for detailed hydrological modeling and water balance calculations.
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Surface area coverage
Average aquifer thickness
Hydraulic conductivity
Transmissivity (calculated)
For confined aquifers
Type of aquifer
Auto-calculated: Area × Thickness × Storage Coefficient
Currently available
Current depth
During pumping conditions
Negative = declining
Active wells
Average depth
Average yield per well
Annual rainfall in millimeters
Fraction of rainfall that infiltrates (0-1)
Natural recharge rate
Artificial recharge
Current extraction rate
Maximum sustainable yield
Calculated: Area × Annual Rainfall × Infiltration Rate × 0.001
Sum of allocated water from irrigation assets (IRRIGATED_PERIMETER, SMSI, PI, FARM, GREENHOUSE)
Sum of water allocated TO irrigation assets (IRRIGATED_PERIMETER, SMSI, PI, FARM, GREENHOUSE)
Sum of water allocated TO drinking water assets (CITY, VILLAGE)
Sum of water allocated TO industrial assets (FACTORY, INDUSTRIAL_ZONE, FOOD_PROCESSING)
Sum of allocated water from wastewater treatment plant assets (WASTEWATER_PLANT)
Sum of allocated water from river resources (RIVER, SURFACE_WATER)
Sum of water allocated TO river resources from this aquifer (RIVER, SURFACE_WATER)
Sum of allocated water from adjacent groundwater aquifer resources (GROUNDWATER)
Sum of water allocated to adjacent groundwater aquifer resources (GROUNDWATER)
Leakage inflow from upper layers
Leakage outflow to lower layers
Evaporation from aquifer
Spring discharge from aquifer
Milligrams per liter
pH level (0-14)
Total dissolved solids
Total salts imported into aquifer
Water Salinity × (Irrigation Consumption + Drinking Water Supply + Industrial Water Supply + Flow to River + Lateral Outflow)
Fraction of water pumped using fuel (0-1)
Fraction of water pumped using gas (0-1)
Fraction of water pumped using grid electricity (0-1)
Fraction of water pumped using solar energy (0-1)
Efficiency of fuel-powered pumping
Efficiency of gas-powered pumping
Efficiency of grid-powered pumping
Efficiency of solar-powered pumping
Price per liter
Price per cubic meter
Price per kWh
Price per kWh
General Energy Consumption Formula:
E = (V × ρ × g × H × P/100) / (3600 × η × energy_density)
Where:
• V = Total water volume from Water Allocation (Mm³), converted to m³
• ρ = 1000 kg/m³ (water density)
• g = 9.81 m/s² (gravitational acceleration)
• H = Pumping water level from Physical section (meters)
• P = Percentage of water using this energy source (%)
• η = Pumping yield/efficiency for this energy source (0-1)
• energy_density = Fuel: 0.85, Gas: 0.90, Grid: 1.0, Solar: 1.0
Auto-calculated from water allocation volume and pumping parameters
Auto-calculated from water allocation volume and pumping parameters
Auto-calculated from water allocation volume and pumping parameters
Auto-calculated from water allocation volume and pumping parameters
Total energy consumed for pumping
Total cost for energy consumption
Choose which rainfall data source to use for calculating the average
Select the year range for calculating the average rainfall
Loading water balance data...
Total Inflow
0.00 Mm³
Total Outflow
0.00 Mm³
Net Balance
0.00 Mm³
Energy-Water-Environment Interconnections
River Resource Editor
Water allocation, river flow conditions, water quality, abstractions, and calculated indicators.
Surface Water Controls
Keep annual settings, allocation rules, hydrologic metrics, and ecological safeguards aligned without changing the existing river workflow.
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Loading water balance data...
Total Allocated Water
0.00 Mm³
Total Water Allocation
0.00 Mm³
Net Balance
0.00 Mm³
Configure specific data parameters for this spring resource. This will allow for detailed hydrogeology modeling and discharge calculations.
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Configure specific data parameters for this lake resource. This will allow for detailed limnology modeling and water balance calculations.
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Lake surface area
Maximum water depth
Average water depth
Auto-calculated: area × depth
Total inflow from rivers/streams
Natural outflow rate
Daily evaporation rate
Net balance (inflows - outflows)
pH level (0-14)
Dissolved oxygen content
0 = clean, 100 = heavily polluted
Overall quality assessment
Current water level above datum
Maximum sustainable level
Minimum ecological level
Current season
Total current water abstraction
Maximum licensed abstraction rate
Water available for additional abstraction
Overall sustainability assessment
Type of water body
{% trans "Configure specific data parameters for this rainfall area resource. This will allow for detailed precipitation modeling and catchment analysis." %}
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No water allocations found for this turn.
Total catchment area
Average elevation above sea level
Average terrain slope
Slope direction (0=North, 180=South)
Dominant land use type
Dominant soil type
Vegetation cover fraction (0-1)
Impervious surface fraction (0-1)
SCS Curve Number (30-100)
Initial abstraction ratio (0-0.3)
Antecedent moisture condition
Time of concentration
Runoff coefficient for dry conditions
Runoff coefficient for normal conditions
Runoff coefficient for wet conditions
Maximum infiltration rate
Soil field capacity (0-1)
Soil wilting point (0-1)
Effective soil depth
Average annual precipitation
Average annual evapotranspiration
Seasonality index (0-1)
Crop coefficient for ET calculation
Calculated surface runoff volume
Calculated groundwater recharge
Total water yield (runoff + recharge)
Water balance assessment
Aquifer receiving groundwater recharge
Reservoir receiving surface runoff
Effect of conservation practices
Configure specific data parameters for this fertile land resource. This will allow for detailed agricultural modeling and soil productivity analysis.
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No water allocations found for this turn.
Configure specific data parameters for this natural ecosystem resource. This will allow for detailed ecological modeling and biodiversity assessment.
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No water allocations found for this turn.
Configure specific data parameters for this forest resource. This includes tree species composition, canopy coverage, age structure, carbon sequestration capacity, and wildlife habitat provision.
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No water allocations found for this turn.
Configure specific data parameters for this wetland resource. This includes water levels, vegetation types, wildlife habitat quality, and ecosystem services provided by the wetland.
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No water allocations found for this turn.
Download satellite data for this resource including rainfall, temperature, evapotranspiration, and other environmental parameters.
Check this option to download the clipped GeoTIFF file in addition to saving the data to the database.
Download satellite data for your asset including rainfall, temperature, evapotranspiration, land cover, productivity, and soil moisture data from various sources like NASA, CHIRPS, and WAPOR.
Download precipitation data from multiple sources:
NASA temperature data including minimum, maximum, and average temperatures.
WAPOR evapotranspiration data:
Land cover classification data from WAPOR and Copernicus sources.
WAPOR productivity indicators:
WAPOR Relative Soil Moisture (RSM) data.
Downloaded data is provided in CSV format with the following columns:
Higher detail generates more river branches but takes longer to process.
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No data available
Groundwater depth data is not available for this piezometer.
Water fluxes are represented by colored lines with arrows showing the direction of water flow between assets.
Tip: Hover over a flux line to see detailed information including source, target, and volume.
Click on the map to place the weather station marker.
Configure your game session with basic information, scenario development parameters, and game turns. These settings define the context and progression of the WEFE Nexus simulation.
A descriptive name for your game session that helps identify it in the list of sessions. Choose a name that reflects the scenario or region being simulated.
Optional detailed description of the game session, including objectives, context, or notes for participants.
Select the geographic scenario that provides the map boundaries, water resources, and initial assets for the simulation.
Default: 2.5% per year
The annual rate of economic growth that affects resource prices, demand, and player revenues. Higher growth rates increase economic activity but may stress water-energy-food resources.
💡 Tip: Typical values range from 1-5%. Use lower values for stable economies, higher values for developing regions.
Default: 10% chance per year
The annual probability of a drought event occurring, which reduces water availability and may trigger water restrictions or crop failures.
⚠️ Impact: Drought events reduce water resources, increase irrigation costs, and can damage crops and ecosystems.
Default: 10% chance per year
The annual probability of a flood event occurring, which can damage infrastructure, contaminate water supplies, and disrupt agricultural activities.
⚠️ Impact: Flood events damage assets, reduce water quality, and can cause economic losses.
Default: 0.02°C per year
The annual rate of temperature increase due to climate change. This affects evapotranspiration rates, crop water requirements, and ecosystem health.
🌡️ Context: IPCC projections suggest 0.015-0.03°C/year depending on emissions scenario. Over 20 years, this means 0.3-0.6°C total warming.
Default: 0.5 mm per year
The annual decrease in precipitation due to climate change. This directly reduces water availability for agriculture, ecosystems, and urban water supplies.
💧 Impact: Combined with temperature increase, this creates water stress. Over 20 years: 10mm less rain + higher evaporation = significant water deficit.
Each game turn represents one year in the simulation. During each turn, players make decisions about resource allocation, infrastructure development, and policy implementation. The system then calculates the impacts on the WEFE Nexus.
The sequence number of the turn (1, 2, 3, ...). This determines the order in which turns are played.
The calendar year represented by this turn (e.g., 2024, 2025, 2026). This helps contextualize the simulation timeline.
These scenario parameters work together to simulate the complex relationships in the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus:
Spatial Analysis Toolkit
Run weather, crop water requirement, and solar sizing calculations for the clicked map location.
| Date | Weather | T Max | T Min | Rain | ET0 | Wind | Humidity | Sun |
|---|
Loading interpolated weather data...
| Month | ET0 (mm) | Kc | ETc (mm) | Rain (mm) | Eff. Rain (mm) | CWR (mm) | IWD (mm) |
|---|
| Show | Series | Y-axis | Type |
|---|
Step-by-step approach with formulas and variable definitions
The Solar Plant Sizing tool sizes a standalone photovoltaic pumping system for irrigation. Starting from the peak irrigation discharge (derived from the Crop Water Requirements tab), it calculates the minimum installed solar power (kWp) and the required number of PV panels to run the pump during the critical design month — i.e. the month with the highest irrigation demand.
| Field | Symbol | Unit | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discharge | \(Q\) | l/s | from CWR | Peak pumping flow rate (auto-filled from CWR peak month) |
| Total Manometric Head | \(H\) | m | 25 | Static head + friction losses in the pipeline |
| Motor-Pump Efficiency | \(\eta_{mp}\) | — | 0.8 | Combined efficiency of motor and pump (0–1) |
| Daily Operating Hours | \(h_{op}\) | h/day | 10 | Number of hours the pump operates per day |
| Performance Ratio | \(PR\) | — | 0.75 | Overall system losses: wiring, soiling, temperature, inverter (0–1) |
| Panel Area | \(A_{panel}\) | m² | 1 | Active area of one PV panel |
| Panel Efficiency | \(\eta_{panel}\) | % | 20 | Conversion efficiency at STC (Standard Test Conditions) |
| Water Density | \(\rho\) | kg/m³ | 1000 | Density of water (adjust for saline/warm water) |
| Temp. Coefficient | \(\gamma\) | /°C | 0.004 | Power loss per °C above 25 °C — typical crystalline Si: 0.004/°C |
| Startup Safety Margin | \(f_s\) | % | 20 | Extra capacity (20–25 %) to overcome static friction and ensure reliable early-morning start |
Solar radiation data is retrieved from the MoroccoWeatherDataGrid model, column solar_radiation (all-sky surface shortwave downward irradiance). The value is stored in MJ/m²/day and is also displayed converted to kWh/m²/day for direct use as Peak Solar Hours (PSH).
1 kWh = 3.6 MJ, so PSH (kWh/m²/day) equals the number of equivalent full-sun hours at 1 kW/m² reference irradiance. Both values are shown in the results card for reference.
\(G_{daily} = 24\text{ MJ/m²/day}\) → \(PSH = 24/3.6 \approx \mathbf{6.7}\text{ kWh/m²/day}\)
The 6 nearest weather stations (\(k=6\)) are used. \(d_i\) is the Euclidean distance from the clicked point to station \(i\), and \(G_i\) is its average daily solar radiation over the selected period.
For a fixed-tilt PV installation that maximises annual energy yield, the optimal tilt angle \(\beta\) is approximately equal to the absolute value of the site latitude \(\varphi\):
At \(\beta = |\varphi|\), panels are roughly perpendicular to the sun at solar noon on the equinoxes, yielding near-maximum annual irradiation.
Moroccan irrigated crops often demand the most water in summer (citrus, vegetables). For peak demand in summer (May–Aug), a flatter tilt is better; for winter crops (Nov–Feb), a steeper tilt captures more low-angle sun.
When the "Seasonal Tilt Optimisation" toggle is enabled, the tool automatically selects the formula based on which month has the highest IWD from the CWR tab.
In Moroccan climates, ambient temperatures frequently exceed 35 °C in summer, pushing PV cell temperatures to 60 °C or above. Crystalline silicon panels lose roughly 0.4 % of their rated power per °C above 25 °C (STC). This must be accounted for to avoid under-sizing the array.
\(T_{amb,max}\) is the average maximum daily air temperature in the design month, fetched from the max_temperature column of MoroccoWeatherDataGrid. A +25 °C offset is the standard NOCT (Nominal Operating Cell Temperature) approximation for open-rack mounting.
Where \(\gamma\) is the temperature coefficient (typically 0.004 /°C for crystalline Si). If \(T_{cell} = 60\,°C\), derating factor = \(1 - 0.004 \times 35 = 0.86\) — the panel delivers only 86 % of its STC rating.
The Temp-Derated Power card in the results shows this adjusted value along with the percentage oversize needed vs STC-rated output.
The hydraulic power is the theoretical power required to lift and transport the water. The absorbed (shaft) power accounts for motor and pump losses.
where \(\rho\) = water density (kg/m³), \(g = 9.81\) m/s², \(Q\) = flow rate (m³/s), \(H\) = total manometric head (m).
\(\eta_{mp}\) is the combined motor–pump efficiency (typical range 0.5–0.85 for submersible motor-pump sets).
\(PSH_{design}\) is the Peak Solar Hours of the critical design month (the peak irrigation month from CWR). \(PR\) (Performance Ratio) accounts for real-world losses: cable losses, temperature derating, soiling, shading, inverter efficiency, mismatch, etc.
Solar pumps require a threshold irradiance to overcome static friction and start spinning in the morning or after intermittent cloud cover. Adding a startup safety margin \(f_s\) of 20–25 % ensures the array has enough peak capacity to start reliably and sustain operation during brief overcast periods.
A fixed \(PR = 0.75\) is a reasonable starting point. In rural Morocco, dust and sand soiling is a major loss factor — panels in the Souss or Drâa valleys can lose 10–15 % output within weeks without cleaning. The PR breakdown tool lets you adjust each component independently.
Each \(L_i\) is the fractional loss of that component.
| Loss Component | Symbol | Typical Range | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC wiring losses | \(L_{wiring}\) | 1–5 % | 3 % | Resistive losses in cables from panels to controller |
| Inverter / MPPT controller | \(L_{inv}\) | 3–12 % | 7 % | Variable-speed drive or inverter efficiency losses |
| Soiling / dust | \(L_{soil}\) | 5–15 % | 10 % | Major factor in arid Morocco — depends on cleaning frequency (1–2 × / month recommended) |
Integer ceiling is used to guarantee the installed power always covers the calculated requirement.
The system automatically links the Solar Plant Sizing to the Crop Water Requirements computation. The peak month is defined as the month with the highest Irrigation Water Demand (IWD), identified in the CWR tab:
\(IWD_{peak}\) = peak month irrigation water demand (mm), \(A_{irr}\) = irrigated area (ha), \(N_{peak}\) = number of days in the peak month.
Using \(PSH_{design}\) instead of the annual average ensures the solar system can power the pump during the highest-demand period, which may coincide with lower solar irradiance (e.g., crops needing water in winter).
Uses peak-month PSH → largest panel count, guaranteed system performance.
The app also shows annual average PSH and specific yield for reference.
This ratio indicates how well-matched the PV array is to the motor-pump load.
| \(R_{ratio}\) | Assessment | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| < 1.05 | ⚠️ Undersized | Array may not start pump reliably or sustain rated flow |
| 1.10 – 1.30 | ✅ Optimal | Good balance — surplus accounts for temperature derating and safety margin |
| > 1.35 | ⚠️ Oversized | Unnecessary cost; consider adding a storage tank instead |
The operating hours \(h_{op}\) should not exceed the available daylight hours, especially in winter. In Morocco, the shortest days occur in December–January.
Approximate minimum daylight hours at Moroccan latitudes (30°–35°N): ~9.8 – 10.2 h in December. A warning is raised if \(h_{op}\) exceeds this threshold for the given location.
| Symbol | Name | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| \(Q\) | Design discharge | l/s (then m³/s) | From CWR peak month continuous-flow equivalent |
| \(H\) | Total Manometric Head | m | Static head + friction losses (HMT) |
| \(\rho\) | Water density | kg/m³ | Typically 1000 (pure water at 4 °C) |
| \(g\) | Gravitational acceleration | m/s² | 9.81 m/s² |
| \(\eta_{mp}\) | Motor-pump efficiency | — | Combined motor × pump (0–1) |
| \(h_{op}\) | Daily operating hours | h/day | Pump run time per day |
| \(G_{daily}\) | Daily solar radiation | MJ/m²/day | From MoroccoWeatherDataGrid (IDW-interpolated) |
| \(PSH\) | Peak Solar Hours | kWh/m²/day | \(G_{daily}/3.6\) |
| \(PSH_{design}\) | Design-month PSH | kWh/m²/day | PSH of peak irrigation month |
| \(PR\) | Performance Ratio | — | System losses factor (typical 0.70–0.85) |
| \(L_{wiring}\) | Wiring losses | — | Typical 0.01–0.05; part of PR breakdown |
| \(L_{inv}\) | Inverter/controller losses | — | Typical 0.03–0.12; part of PR breakdown |
| \(L_{soil}\) | Soiling losses | — | Typical 0.05–0.15 in Morocco; part of PR breakdown |
| \(P_{hyd}\) | Hydraulic power | kW | \(\rho g Q H / 1000\) |
| \(P_{abs}\) | Absorbed power | kW | \(P_{hyd} / \eta_{mp}\) |
| \(E_{day}\) | Daily energy | kWh/day | \(P_{abs} \times h_{op}\) |
| \(P_{solar}\) | Required solar power | kWp | \(E_{day} / (PSH_{design} \times PR)\) |
| \(f_s\) | Startup safety margin | — | Fractional extra capacity (0.20–0.25) for reliable pump start |
| \(\gamma\) | Temperature coefficient | /°C | Typical 0.004/°C (crystalline Si); power loss per °C above 25 °C |
| \(T_{cell}\) | Cell temperature | °C | \(T_{amb,max} + 25\) (NOCT approx.) |
| \(P_{solar,\,temp}\) | Temp-derated power | kWp | \(P_{solar} / [1 - \gamma(T_{cell}-25)]\) |
| \(R_{ratio}\) | Array-to-motor ratio | — | \(P_{installed} / P_{abs}\); ideal 1.10–1.30 |
| \(A_{panel}\) | Panel area | m² | Physical aperture area of one module |
| \(\eta_{panel}\) | Panel efficiency | — | At STC (1000 W/m², 25 °C) |
| \(P_{panel}\) | Panel peak power | Wp | \(A_{panel} \times \eta_{panel} \times 1000\) |
| \(N\) | Number of panels | — | \(\lceil P_{solar}/(P_{panel}/1000) \rceil\) |
| \(P_{installed}\) | Installed capacity | kWp | \(N \times A_{panel} \times \eta_{panel}\) |
| \(S_{total}\) | Total panel area | m² | \(N \times A_{panel}\) |
| \(\beta_{opt}\) | Optimal tilt angle | ° | \(\approx |\varphi|\); adj. ±15° for seasonal opt. |
| \(Y_{spec}\) | Specific yield | kWh/kWp/year | \(PSH_{annual} \times PR \times 365\) |
ET0 methods, Kc, water balance, irrigation demand — step-by-step with formulas
The Crop Water Requirements tool computes the net and gross irrigation water demand for a clicked location, a selected value chain (crop family) and a historical climate period. The calculation chain is:
| Field | Symbol | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start / End year | — | current year | Filters climate records to the selected period; multi-year data are averaged. |
| Value chain | — | — | Crop family (e.g. cereals, vegetables); average Kc of all member crops is used. |
| Crop | — | optional | If specified, overrides value-chain Kc with the individual crop's monthly Kc values. |
| ET0 method | — | Blaney-Criddle | Algorithm used to compute reference evapotranspiration (see sections below). |
| Irrigation efficiency | \(\eta_{irr}\) | 0.70 | Fraction of delivered water that reaches the root zone (drip ≈ 0.90, sprinkler ≈ 0.75, surface ≈ 0.55). |
| Reduction coefficient | \(K_{red}\) | 1.00 | Multiplier applied to Kc; used to model deficit irrigation or stressed conditions. |
| Leaching requirement | \(LR\) | 0.00 | Extra water fraction needed to leach salts below the root zone; added on top of CWR. |
| Irrigated area | \(A\) | 1 ha | Area used to convert depth-based demand (mm) to volumetric demand (Mm³) and sizing discharge (l/s). |
| Effective rainfall coeff. | \(\alpha_{rain}\) | 0.70 | Fraction of rainfall that is effectively stored in the root zone (varies by rainfall intensity, soil, slope). |
Geographic point model for synoptic weather stations across Morocco. Provides spatial coordinates used for IDW interpolation.
Daily/monthly climate records per station: rainfall, et0_bc (Blaney-Criddle), et0_pm (Penman-Monteith), temperature, wind, humidity, radiation.
Pre-computed annual and monthly Reference ET rasters for Morocco at 5 km resolution (ret_morocco_avg.tif, ret_MM_morocco_avg.tif). Used when ET0 method = WaPOR.
12 monthly Kc fields per crop (kc_jan … kc_dec). Values follow FAO-56 guidelines and are averaged over the family when a value chain is selected.
\(X_i\) can be monthly or annual rainfall, ET0, or any climate variable. \(d_i\) is the Euclidean distance from the clicked point to station \(i\). Multi-year data are averaged within each station before IDW.
\(\alpha_{rain}\) is the effective-rainfall coefficient (default 0.70). In practice this can also be estimated with the USDA Soil Conservation Service formula or Brouwer & Heibloem method, but a linear coefficient is used here for simplicity and transparency.
The Blaney-Criddle method estimates ET0 from mean air temperature. It is a low-data requirement approach developed for arid and semi-arid regions and widely used where only temperature records are available.
et0_bc):\(R_s\) = solar radiation (MJ/m²/day); \(T\) = mean daily temperature (°C). The coefficient 0.0043 is an empirical constant calibrated for arid conditions.
Applicable when only temperature is available. Overestimates ET0 in humid conditions, reasonable in dry climates.
The FAO-56 Penman-Monteith equation is the globally accepted standard for estimating reference crop evapotranspiration. It combines an energy-balance term and an aerodynamic term, and requires temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation and atmospheric pressure.
This is the standard FAO-56 form (Eq. 6, Allen et al., 1998). See variable definitions in the table below.
| Intermediate variable | Formula | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saturation vapour pressure \(e_s\) | \(e_s = 0.6108\,\exp\!\left(\tfrac{17.27\,T}{T+237.3}\right)\) | kPa; \(T\) in °C |
| Actual vapour pressure \(e_a\) | \(e_a = e_s \times RH/100\) | kPa; \(RH\) in % |
| Vapour pressure deficit \(\delta e\) | \(\delta e = e_s - e_a\) | kPa |
| Slope of SVP curve \(\Delta\) | \(\Delta = \dfrac{4098\,e_s}{(T+237.3)^2}\) | kPa/°C |
| Psychrometric constant \(\gamma\) | \(\gamma = 0.000665 \times P_{atm}\) | kPa/°C; \(P_{atm}\) in kPa |
| Net radiation \(R_n\) | \(R_n \approx 0.77 \times R_s\) | Simplified; albedo α = 0.23 → \(1-\alpha = 0.77\) |
| Soil heat flux \(G\) | \(G \approx 0\) | Negligible at daily time step |
T2M, T2M_MIN, T2M_MAX, ALLSKY_SFC_SW_DWN, WS2M, RH2M, PS.
WaPOR (Water Productivity through Open-access of Remotely sensed derived data) is an open-data platform operated by FAO that provides satellite-derived estimates of ET and Reference ET for Africa and the Near East at multiple spatial resolutions (Country-level 5 km, Regional 100 m, Local 30 m).
WaPOR Reference ET is derived from the Penman-Monteith equation applied to AGRI4CAST / ECMWF ERA5 meteorological reanalysis data. The result is provided as dekadal (10-day) and monthly composites. Monthly values are stored in pre-computed GeoTIFF rasters served to this tool.
Bilinear resampling is not applied; nearest-pixel sampling is used. GeoTIFFs: ret_morocco_avg.tif (annual) and ret_MM_morocco_avg.tif (monthly composites, MM = 01–12).
media/geotiffs/country/morocco/ret/ directory.
The crop coefficient \(K_c\) expresses the ratio of crop-specific ET to the reference ET of a standard grass surface under non-limiting conditions (no water or pest stress). It integrates climate, crop phenology and agronomic practices.
\(K_{c,m}\) is the monthly crop coefficient from the database. \(K_{red}\) is the user-defined reduction coefficient (1.0 = full Kc; <1 = partial/stressed irrigation).
When a value chain (crop family) is selected without specifying a crop, the monthly Kc is the arithmetic mean over all crops belonging to that family.
Floored at 0 — when rainfall exceeds crop ET in a given month, no irrigation is required.
\(\eta_{irr}\) = irrigation efficiency (fraction); \(LR\) = leaching requirement fraction (0 = no leaching).
1 mm applied over 1 ha = 10 m³. \(A\) = irrigated area (ha).
The peak month is the calendar month with the highest monthly IWD. It defines the critical design period for infrastructure sizing.
\(N_{m^*}\) = number of days in the peak month; \(A\) = irrigated area (ha). The formula converts the monthly depth (mm) over the area to a continuous-flow equivalent in l/s, assuming irrigation runs 24 h/day throughout the peak month.
| Symbol | Name | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| \(P_m\) | Monthly rainfall | mm/month | IDW-interpolated from 6 nearest stations |
| \(\alpha_{rain}\) | Effective rainfall coeff. | — | User input, default 0.70 |
| \(P_{eff,m}\) | Effective monthly rainfall | mm/month | \(\alpha_{rain} \times P_m\) |
| \(ET_{0,m}\) | Reference ET (monthly) | mm/month | BC, PM or WaPOR method |
| \(K_{c,m}\) | Crop coefficient | — | FAO-56 based, per month |
| \(K_{red}\) | Reduction coefficient | — | 1.0 = full ET; < 1 = deficit |
| \(ET_{c,m}\) | Crop ET (monthly) | mm/month | \(ET_{0,m} \times K_{c,m} \times K_{red}\) |
| \(CWR_m\) | Crop water requirement | mm/month | \(\max(0, ET_{c,m} - P_{eff,m})\) |
| \(\eta_{irr}\) | Irrigation efficiency | — | User input, default 0.70 |
| \(LR\) | Leaching requirement | — | User input, default 0.0 |
| \(IWD_m\) | Irrigation water demand (monthly) | mm/month | \(CWR_m / \eta_{irr} \times (1+LR)\) |
| \(A\) | Irrigated area | ha | User input |
| \(IWD_{Mm^3}\) | Annual volumetric demand | Mm³/year | \(\sum IWD_m \times A \times 10 / 10^6\) |
| \(m^*\) | Peak month | — | Month with max IWD |
| \(Q_{design}\) | Sizing discharge | l/s | Continuous-flow equiv. for peak month |
| \(T\) | Mean daily temperature | °C | BC and PM input |
| \(R_s\) | Solar radiation | MJ/m²/day | BC with radiation |
| \(R_n\) | Net radiation | MJ/m²/day | \(0.77 R_s\) (PM simplification) |
| \(\Delta\) | SVP curve slope | kPa/°C | PM formula |
| \(\gamma\) | Psychrometric constant | kPa/°C | \(0.000665 \times P_{atm}\) |
| \(\delta e\) | Vapour pressure deficit | kPa | \(e_s - e_a\) |
| \(u_2\) | Wind speed at 2 m | m/s | PM input |
| \(RH\) | Relative humidity | % | PM input |
| \(P_{atm}\) | Atmospheric pressure | kPa | PM input |
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