The SWARM Tool (South-Western Australian RothC Modelling Tool) provides a calculation for the estimate for soil organic carbon in south-western Australian agricultural soils within a Microsoft® Excel format. The SWARM Tool provides both an equilibrium current carbon estimate and an understanding of the potential carbon levels under projected climate conditions using south western Australian soil data.
The Tool is based on the RothC Model (constructed by K. Coleman and D.S. Jenkinson’s – a model for the turnover of carbon in soil (Rothamsted Research) RothC Link) and filters the significant volume of soil and climate data made publicly available by the CSIRO (Soil Link, Climate Link).
Please note that the SWARM Tool is currently automated and tuned for the south-western corner of Western Australia - the general boundary is south of Perth and west of Albany to the coastline. (i.e. below 32.5 degrees South and west of 118 degrees East). There are plans to expand the model beyond this area in the near future as time allows, however this is the scope of the Alpha Version of the model.
What if I have no local data?
The automation of this location specific input data enables the tool to be run with as little input data as the location’s latitude, longitude and a starting year. Once this has been run, the inputs can be varied to look at what impact soil data might have. Such operation is explained within the below “Quick Start Manual”.
Can I do basic in-field soil tests to look at getting better cross-pasture/field accuracy?
Where no soil data is available, cheap, easy field soil tests can be used to estimate carbon variation across a pasture, property, region or time (local climate change projections are incorporated). For example a jar shake test (for relative clay content) or soil water repellence testing enables more accurate modelling of rainfall utilisation and hence carbon content.
What if I already have soil samples analysed in some locations?
There is the ability to adjust the model’s carbon estimation to match historical soil sample data enabling a more detailed insight into different soil characteristics away from or in between the sampled sites, or under altered land management practices.
The spatial tuning of the RothC model to existing organic carbon data for the region on the basis of rainfall provides significant insight into the climate projection impacts on south WA carbon sequestration potential. The integration of local knowledge soil water repellency, water run-off and soil erosion into the SWARM tool, assesses the ability of the soil to realise the full value of rainfall at the cross pasture scale and enables the tool to better cater to land manager climate concerns for this region. The use of this data within the model is explained within the alternate “Detailed Use Manual” below.
OPERATING MANUALS:
1) Quick Start Manual (PDF) - LINK
2) Detailed Use Manual (PDF) - LINK
For additional function discussions, please email jolene at [email protected]
1) Quick Start Manual (PDF) - LINK
2) Detailed Use Manual (PDF) - LINK
For additional function discussions, please email jolene at [email protected]
INFORMATION VIDEOS:
1) SWARM Tool Walk-Through Video - Complete Video LINK (315MB)
OR - Part 1 LINK (130MB), Part 2 LINK (50MB), Part 3 LINK (130MB)
2) Pingelly Presentation Video and Slides - Introduction to the Tool and its Applications - These videos provide an understanding of the assumptions, limitations and workings behind the SWARM Tool. Good for avoiding the Garbage in - Garbage out issue. (PLEASE NOTE:: These are very large files, but well worth a look - especially 2-4)
PART 1 - Jolene's introduction - LINK
PART 2 - The SWARM Tool Background and Appropriate Context - Part A - LINK
PART 3 - The SWARM Tool Inputs - Part B - LINK
PART 4 - The SWARM Tool Inputs and Tuning - Part C - LINK
PART 5 - The SWARM Tool Structure, Outputs and Conclusion - Part D - LINK
1) SWARM Tool Walk-Through Video - Complete Video LINK (315MB)
OR - Part 1 LINK (130MB), Part 2 LINK (50MB), Part 3 LINK (130MB)
2) Pingelly Presentation Video and Slides - Introduction to the Tool and its Applications - These videos provide an understanding of the assumptions, limitations and workings behind the SWARM Tool. Good for avoiding the Garbage in - Garbage out issue. (PLEASE NOTE:: These are very large files, but well worth a look - especially 2-4)
PART 1 - Jolene's introduction - LINK
PART 2 - The SWARM Tool Background and Appropriate Context - Part A - LINK
PART 3 - The SWARM Tool Inputs - Part B - LINK
PART 4 - The SWARM Tool Inputs and Tuning - Part C - LINK
PART 5 - The SWARM Tool Structure, Outputs and Conclusion - Part D - LINK
IN-FIELD TEST FLYERS:
1) Texture Assessment
a) Jar Shake Test - LINK
b) Ball and Ribbon - LINK
2) Repellency Test Charts - LINK
3) Soil Test Discussion Video - LINK 1, LINK 2
1) Texture Assessment
a) Jar Shake Test - LINK
b) Ball and Ribbon - LINK
2) Repellency Test Charts - LINK
3) Soil Test Discussion Video - LINK 1, LINK 2
Original PHD Document and Subsequent Presentations:
1) Thesis (PDF) - LINK
2) Wickepin Presentation Slides - Introduction to SWARM Tool (PDF) - LINK
3) Soil Sample Location Planning (PDF) - LINK
4) General Introduction to SWARM Tool (UWA Showcase Presentation 2018) - LINK
(Note that this is a Large File)
More to come...
1) Thesis (PDF) - LINK
2) Wickepin Presentation Slides - Introduction to SWARM Tool (PDF) - LINK
3) Soil Sample Location Planning (PDF) - LINK
4) General Introduction to SWARM Tool (UWA Showcase Presentation 2018) - LINK
(Note that this is a Large File)
More to come...
FUTURE WORK SCOPE:
1) Ongoing SWARM Tool testing across the region - Entering the field data benchmarking / challenging phase.
2) Streamline calculation and data set presentation to reduce computational time and file size.
3) Expansion of SWARM Tool to examine application of similar Tool across the SW Flatlands and potentially across Australia. (I.e. Expansion of Soil, Base Climate and Projected Climate Data Input breadth)
4) Integration of user and workshop attendee feedback.
1) Ongoing SWARM Tool testing across the region - Entering the field data benchmarking / challenging phase.
2) Streamline calculation and data set presentation to reduce computational time and file size.
3) Expansion of SWARM Tool to examine application of similar Tool across the SW Flatlands and potentially across Australia. (I.e. Expansion of Soil, Base Climate and Projected Climate Data Input breadth)
4) Integration of user and workshop attendee feedback.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND TERMS OF LICENSE AGREEMENT:
The SWARM tool is free of charge, subject to the following conditions:
For more information please see Appendix 1 of either of the User Manuals or contact the SWARM tool author:
JOLENE OTWAY
[email protected]
NOTE: Acknowledgement is made by the SWARM tool author for significant assistance with the tool’s calculations, default inputs and sensitivity testing ranges to: Janik, L., Spouncer, L., Correll, R., Skjemstad, J., 2002. National carbon accounting system technical report No. 30: Sensitivity analysis of the Roth-C. Australian Greenhouse Office.
The SWARM tool is free of charge, subject to the following conditions:
- The tool is only used for personal/land owner/land manager indicative information or scientific research purposes only. The tool is not to be used for commercial gain or profit. Please contact the author for permissions of scope for any other use.
- The basis for the input data is sourced from publicly available data sets (see acknowledgements) and the operating system is designed such that this collation of public data with an open source modelling tool may be used only with the due referencing of the input source data selected as well as the acknowledgement of the SWARM tool author and the RothC model copyright holder. Due acknowledgement is required to these parties in any scientific publications. Acknowledgement for assistance must also be made to Janik, L., Spouncer, L., Correll, R., Skjemstad, J., 2002. National carbon accounting system technical report No. 30: Sensitivity analysis of the Roth-C. Australian Greenhouse Office. The SWARM Tool utilises data averaged across first decimal place block areas (rounded down i.e. each <100km² (~11 x 9km) block is averaged to represent the location identified by the north west designation. I.e. 32.5°S and 115.8°E represents the average of 32.5-32.59° x 115.8 – 115.89° block.)
- The output of this model is subject to all the conditions/terms of use, cautions, disclaimers and referencing requirements associated with the following three sources:
- RothC - https://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/models-and-analytical-tools
- Kevin Coleman has generously provided permission for the use of the RothC model within this tool for use by researchers and land managers, where this model is not used for commercial gain or profit. Due acknowledgement for Rothamsted Research and the generosity of Kevin Coleman is provided here-in and is required within any publications or public discussions related to the use of the SWARM Tool.
- Key references:
- For RothC calculation and assumption details refer to: Coleman, K. and Jenkinson, D.S. (2014) RothC - A model for the turnover of carbon in soil. Rothamsted Research Harpenden Herts AL5 2JQ
- Soil and Landscape Grid: http://www.clw.csiro.au/aclep/soilandlandscapegrid/
- All products developed by the Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia are available at no cost under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC BY) and users should read the Disclaimer (http: //www.clw.csiro.au/aclep/soilandlandscapegrid/About-Disclaimer.html)
- The licence obtained by the SWARM tool author allows "a user distribute, remix, tweak and build upon the work, even commercially, as long as appropriate credit for the original work is given.”
- Key references:
- CSIRO Soil Data Naming Convention http://www.clw.csiro.au/aclep/soilandlandscapegrid/MetaData /ASLG_File_Naming_Conventions.html
- Holmes, Karen; Griffin, Ted; Odgers, Nathan (2014): Soil and Landscape Grid Digital Soil Property Maps for Western Australia (3" resolution). v3. CSIRO. Data Collection.
- Viscarra Rossel, R., Chen, C, Grundy, M, Searle, R, Clifford, D., Odgers, N., Holmes, K., Griffin, T., Liddicoat, C., Kidd, D., 2014 Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Organic Carbon (3" resolution) - Release 1. v1. CSIRO. Data Collection.
- Climate Change in Australia models https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/
- The data baseline (1995) and projection weather data for the model are sourced from the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology, Climate Change in Australia website. The baseline data set is labelled 1995 (reflects results from 1981-2010 data) and has been revised for the 2015 publications. Results are noted as higher than those within the 2007 reporting. (http://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/).
- Data was accessed through the Gridded Download Data Portal (Data accessed / cited August 2015 to August 2017 - https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/climate-projections/explore-data/data-download/gridded-data-download/ ) or directly delivered from John Clarke (13/10/2015).
- Except where otherwise indicated on the website, “these data are provided under a non-transferable Creative Commons (Non Commercial) licence. Commercial users must have a separate licence.”
- A discussion was held on August 15th, 2015 with John Clarke (the then Team Leader - Climate Research & Services; Climate Variability, Extreme Weather & Adaptation Group; CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship). A full description of the SWARM tool scope was presented and verbal approval gained for the use of the climate data on the basis of the inclusion of a reference to the model selection website and reference of the important considerations for users when selecting the climate projection model or emissions scenario and when utilising the produced data. Please refer to: https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au /en/climate-projections/about/modelling-choices-and-methodology/important-considerations/
- Key references:
- Cai, W., Borlace, S., Lengaigne, M., Van Rensch, P., Collins, M., Vecchi, G., Timmermann, A., Santoso, A., Mcphaden, M., Wu, L., England, M., Wang, G., Guilyardi, E., Jin, F. 2014. Increasing frequency of extreme El Niño events due to greenhouse warming. Nature Climate Change, 4, 111-116.
- CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology 2015, Climate Change in Australia Information for Australia’s Natural Resource Management Regions: Technical Report, CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology, Australia
- Hope, P et al., 2015. Southern and south-western flatlands cluster report, climate change in Australia projections for Australia’s natural resource management regions: Cluster reports, eds. Ekström, M et al., CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology, Australia
- Jeffrey, S. J., Rotstayn, L. D., Collier, M. A., Dravitzki, S. M., Hamalainen, C., Moeseneder, C., Wong, K. K., and J. I. Syktus (2013). Australia's CMIP5 submission using the CSIRO Mk3.6 model, Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal, 63, 1–13, http://www.bom.gov.au/amoj/docs/2013/jeffrey_hres.pdf.
- Watterson, I. 2012. Understanding and partitioning future climates for Australian regions from CMIP3 using ocean warming indices. Climatic Change, 111, 903-922.
- RothC - https://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/models-and-analytical-tools
- No changes may be made to the non- “user input” worksheets or any adaption, expansion or replication of the model may be conducted without the permission of the SWARM Tool author.
- The model is not to be released to a third party without the permission of the SWARM Tool author.
For more information please see Appendix 1 of either of the User Manuals or contact the SWARM tool author:
JOLENE OTWAY
[email protected]
NOTE: Acknowledgement is made by the SWARM tool author for significant assistance with the tool’s calculations, default inputs and sensitivity testing ranges to: Janik, L., Spouncer, L., Correll, R., Skjemstad, J., 2002. National carbon accounting system technical report No. 30: Sensitivity analysis of the Roth-C. Australian Greenhouse Office.
FORMS:
FORM 1 - REQUEST FOR SWARM TOOL ACCESS
As the title suggests, this form is to request a copy of the SWARM Tool. Please note the purpose of your intended use so that the alignment with the above Terms and those of the underlying data and calculation contributors can be verified.
FORM 2 - OFFER TO SUBMIT CASE STUDY / BENCHMARKING DATA:
The gathering of data to test this tool is highly valuable to the progress of its development. If you have data that you are happy to share with us for this purpose of testing only, then please also get in touch. A preference is for laboratory analysed carbon data and some form of clay data to be included, but assistance can be given in using the tool based on any other range of data (repellence, soil depth, carbon inputs etc). The second (right hand form) is presented for this purpose.
FORM 1 - REQUEST FOR SWARM TOOL ACCESS
As the title suggests, this form is to request a copy of the SWARM Tool. Please note the purpose of your intended use so that the alignment with the above Terms and those of the underlying data and calculation contributors can be verified.
FORM 2 - OFFER TO SUBMIT CASE STUDY / BENCHMARKING DATA:
The gathering of data to test this tool is highly valuable to the progress of its development. If you have data that you are happy to share with us for this purpose of testing only, then please also get in touch. A preference is for laboratory analysed carbon data and some form of clay data to be included, but assistance can be given in using the tool based on any other range of data (repellence, soil depth, carbon inputs etc). The second (right hand form) is presented for this purpose.
By Submitting Either of the Below Forms You Accept the Terms of the License Agreement
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VERSION NOTES:
Alpha Version -
- All data produced by the Alpha Version of this tool is for indicative purposes only. The construction of the Alpha Version was to prove a concept of filtering data from significantly detailed, but highly obscured publicly available data for use in a soil carbon estimation model. The RothC model was utilised for carbon turnover calculation and an assumed consistent base case scenario was tuned to the CSIRO SOC data for the region of south-western Australia. The tool has been tested against limited locations at this stage. The adjustment of the carbon input data was used to calibrate the model to one selected sample pasture. Then the influence of differences in soil and water utilisation characteristics were examined as differentials from this calibrated point. More testing is required for confirmation of the model behaviour relative to (a) a change in these characteristics and (b) a change in carbon input as compared to the base case assumptions, however the investigations to date indicate that discernible soil carbon differences across pastures and across farms is possible with the existing model.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ALPHA VERSION OF THE SWARM TOOL COMPLETED AS PART OF PHD STUDIES:
* A very special thanks to the generous Kevin Coleman of Rothamsted Research and Co-creator of RothC ("A model for the turnover of carbon in soil") for his time reviewing of the SWARM Tool, his model-optimising suggestions and, in conjunction with Rothamsted Research, for providing permission for the use of the RothC model within the SWARM Tool and future similar, freely available modelling tools.
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* Additional Thanks to the gratefully received financial support of the Robert and Maude Gledden Postgraduate Research Scholarship awarded by The University of Western Australia
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SPECIAL THANKS ALSO TO THE FOLLOWING FOR SUPPORT IN VARIOUS WAYS FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF THE PHD WHICH DEVELOPED THE ALPHA VERSION OF THE SWARM TOOL :
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