A New Framework to Consider Agronomic Systems As Ecological Sites.

A new framework is proposed that will help achieve conservation objectives for ecological sites under agronomic uses by: (1) optimizing management, based on land potential, (2) promoting development of innovative management systems, (3) supporting identification of high priority research needs, (4) improving efficiency of conservation planning, (5) increasing certainty of conservation outcomes, (6) providing flexibility to promote innovative management systems, (7) encouraging private and public investments, and (8) increasing accountability to the public, OMB and Congress. Within the framework, called the Land Optimization and Analysis Model (LOAM), reference conditions are defined for each agroecological site, which is a distinctive kind of land based on reoccurring soil, landform, geological, and climatic characteristics that differs from other kinds of land in its potential to support distinctive ranges of soil functions (as indicated by soil properties) and their responses to natural and human-caused disturbance. The framework will facilitate the collection, interpretation and application of information on current status (condition) of land relative to two reference conditions: (a) ecological potential, the maximum potential for a site with little or no human intervention (as reflected in the status of soil functions) and (b) attainable potential for an agricultural product group such as grains or forage, assuming current technology, market and regulatory conditions but differing management practices. The framework is currently in pilot status but once implemented is expected to increase usefulness of existing data by managers and provide a roadmap for long-term future data collection.