Introduction to APSIM and the APSIM Initiative The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM): APSIM is internationally recognised as a highly advanced farming systems simulator. APSIM simulates the growth of crops and cropping sequences for specific locations. It contains an ever increasing number of plant modules with additional modules for water, soil nitrogen, soil organic matter, soil phosphorous, erosion and land management. It includes the capability to interface with seasonal climate forecasts based on the state of the ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) system and has been extended to deal with agroforestry systems and crop-weed interactions.
LINK to APSIM Model Overview
The APSIM Initiative: The APSIM initiative (AI) has been established to promote the development and use of the science modules and infrastructure software of APSIM. The AI records a shift in focus from the former research based Agricultural Production Systems Research Unit (APSRU) to a new venture focussed on APSIM development, application and commercialisation. After many years of successful collaboration, APSRU phase III formally ended in 2007 and is now an informal networking arrangement between interested parties. The Foundation Members of the AI are CSIRO, the State of Queensland and The University of Queensland, however new parties are encouraged to join at any time. The AI is managed by a Steering Committee with a Reference Panel providing advice on matters relating to APSIM development, in particular Science Quality and Software Development. Objectives of the APSIM Initiative: The AI enables developments in agricultural systems modelling to be captured more rapidly and effectively within the APSIM infrastructure, regardless of membership. Specifically the Objectives are to:
1. Create a joint venture of research bodies that wish to lead and contribute to the ongoing development and use of APSIM;
2. Co-develop and manage APSIM as a high quality, world class research tool in its field and;
3. Ensure that APSIM is developed by the facilitation of broadly based collaborative science.
To achieve these objectives the AI provides:
- An open and transparent 'APSIM Community Source Framework' (a modified Open Source Framework) facilitating broadly based collaborative science;
- Best practice Software Development and Maintenance;
- Science quality control;
- Free public good licensing (for R&D, extension and educational use);
- Commercial licensing (authorised by the AI Steering Committee)
- APSIM Training (as a fee for service activity)
- APSIM Support (via a web based support forum)