TY - JOUR

T1 - Agent-based modelling of shifting cultivation field patterns, Vietnam

AU - Jepsen, Martin Rudbeck

AU - Leisz, S.

AU - Rasmussen, K.

AU - Jakobsen, J.

AU - Møller-Jensen, Lasse

AU - Christiansen, L.

PY - 2006

Y1 - 2006

N2 - Shifting cultivation in the Nghe An Province of Vietnam's Northern Mountain Region produces a characteristic land-cover pattern of small and larger fields. The pattern is the result of farmers cultivating either individually or in spatially clustered groups. Using spatially explicit agent-based modelling, and relying on empirical data from fieldwork and observations for parameterization of variables, the level of clustering in agricultural fields observed around a study village is reproduced. Agents in the model act to maximize labour productivity, which is based on potential yield and labour costs associated with fencing of fields, and are faced with physical constraints. The simulation results are compared with land-cover data obtained from remote sensing. Comparisons are made on patterns as detected visually and using the mean nearest-neighbour ratio. Baseline simulation outputs show high degrees of spatial clustering and similarity to the land-cover data, but also a need for further calibration of model variables and controls

AB - Shifting cultivation in the Nghe An Province of Vietnam's Northern Mountain Region produces a characteristic land-cover pattern of small and larger fields. The pattern is the result of farmers cultivating either individually or in spatially clustered groups. Using spatially explicit agent-based modelling, and relying on empirical data from fieldwork and observations for parameterization of variables, the level of clustering in agricultural fields observed around a study village is reproduced. Agents in the model act to maximize labour productivity, which is based on potential yield and labour costs associated with fencing of fields, and are faced with physical constraints. The simulation results are compared with land-cover data obtained from remote sensing. Comparisons are made on patterns as detected visually and using the mean nearest-neighbour ratio. Baseline simulation outputs show high degrees of spatial clustering and similarity to the land-cover data, but also a need for further calibration of model variables and controls

KW - COSTS

KW - CULTIVATION

KW - FARMERS

KW - labour

KW - land cover

KW - MODEL

KW - modelling

KW - PATTERN

KW - PATTERNS

KW - PRODUCTIVITY

KW - REGION

KW - remote sensing

KW - shifting cultivation

KW - simulation

KW - spatially explicit

KW - YIELD

M3 - Journal article

VL - 20

SP - 1067

EP - 1085

JO - International Journal of Geographical Information Science

JF - International Journal of Geographical Information Science

SN - 1365-8816

IS - 9

ER -