Simulating nitrogen dynamics in soils using a deterministic model

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Abstract
LEACHN is a deterministic model for simulating nitrogen dynamics in soil. Transport processes are based upon numerical solutions to the Richards equation for water flow and the convection‐dispersion equation for solute transport. Transformations of urea, ammonium, nitrate and three organic pools are included, and the influence of water content and temperature can be reflected. Lack of measured input data sometimes limits the more general use of models such as these. Approaches to estimating data values using soil survey information and a limited number of measured data are discussed. Simple model sensitivity studies and a limited number of field measurements can guide the choice of input data values and lead to simulations that reflect the main features of the field soil nitrogen regime. Such an approach provides initial values for a modelling exercise, and improves intuition regarding the relative importance of processes and interactions in the field nitrogen cycle.