================================================================================= ================================================================================= Readme.txt written by: Paul Burgess ================================================================================= ================================================================================= Version control 03-03-2025: Initial publication ================================================================================= ================================================================================= This readme is related to the following files: EcoYield-SAFE v2.xlsx Description of EcoYield-SAFE v2 in Excel.doc Yield-SAFE improvements.pdf ===== EcoYield-SAFE v2 ============================================================== Agroforestry systems integrate trees with livestock and/or arable crops on the same parcel of land. Because of the long time period between the planting trees and their maturity, there is a need to develop models to the compare the effect of agricultural, horticultural, forestry, and agroforestry systems. For example in agroforestry, as the trees increase in size, the grass and/or arable yields will tend to decline due to light and water competition with the trees. The form of the tree-crop yield relationship will vary with the level of solar radiation, rainfall, the species being grown, management actions such as choice of planting date and pruning, the soil type, and the time from tree planting. Within the EU sponsored project “Silvoarable Agroforestry for Europe (SAFE)”, we created the biophysical Yield-SAFE model (van der Werf et al., 2007). The model enables the prediction of tree and crop growth in crop-only, tree-only, and agroforestry systems. In 2023, a Microsoft Excel version of the model called “Yield-SAFE v2” was made available online, together with a description of the model and a description of the calibration process (Burgess and Graves, 2023). This webpage contains an enhanced version of the Yield-SAFE model, called EcoYield-SAFE which includes new algorithms to describe additional ecological processes. These include the RothC model of soil carbon dynamics and the capacity to model fruit trees, nitrogen dynamics, the effect of trees on understorey temperature and wind, and the carrying capacity of grassland and silvopastoral systems for livestock (Palma et al., 2016). EcoYield-SAFE v2 also includes modifications to radiation use efficiency with increases in carbon dioxide concentrations. The data input worksheets in EcoYield-SAFE v2 include the data used to model silvoarable and silvopastoral systems at Loughgall in Northern Ireland as described by Giannitsopoulos et al., (2025). Everyone is welcome to use EcoYield-SAFE. However by using EcoYield-SAFE, the user agrees to the disclaimer and copyright below. Disclaimer: use of EcoYield-SAFE is entirely at the risk of the user. No responsibility is taken by the developers, authors or funders for errors remaining within EcoYield-SAFE, or for actions or consequences of actions arising from use of Eco Yield-SAFE. Copyright: The authors are happy for the model to be used and modified for research purposes. However, the model should not be used for commercial gain without the prior agreement of the authors. Acknowledgements: Yield-SAFE was originally developed as part of the SAFE project funded by the EU under its Quality of Life programme (2001-2005) contract number QLF5-CT-2001-00560 (van der Werf et al. 2007). The EcoYield-SAFE model was first developed as part of the AGFORWARD project supported by the European Union under the seventh framework programme (contract number 613520). The EcoYield-SAFE v2 model, and its use to predict the behaviour of the agroforestry systems at Loughgall was developed as part of the AGROMIX project funded by the EU under the EU Horizon programme (grant agreement 862993). References: Burgess, P.J, Graves, A.R. (2023). Yield-SAFE v2 - Biophysical model for tree and crop yields in agroforestry. Cranfield Online Research Data (CORD). Software. https://doi.org/10.17862/cranfield.rd.24250549 Giannitsopoulos, M.L., Burgess, P.J., Graves, A.R., Olave, R.J., Eden, J.M., Herzog, F. (2025) Predicted yield and soil organic carbon changes in grassland, arable, woodland, and agroforestry systems under climate change in a cool temperate Atlantic climate. Submitted to Agronomy for Sustainable Development. Palma, J.H.N., Graves, A.R., Crous-Duran J, Upson, M., Paulo, J.A., Oliveira, T.S., Silvestre Garcia de Jalón, S., Burgess, P.J. (2016). Yield-SAFE Model Improvements. Milestone Report 29 (6.4) for EU FP7 Research Project: AGFORWARD 613520. (5 July 2016). 30 pp. https://www.agforward.eu/yield-safe-model-improvements.html van der Werf, W., Keesman, K., Burgess, P., Graves, A., Pilbeam, D., Incoll, L.D., Metselaar, K., Mayus, M., Stappers, R., van Keulen, H., Palma, J. Dupraz, C. (2007) Yield-SAFE: A parameter-sparse, process-based dynamic model for predicting resource capture, growth, and production in agroforestry systems. Ecological Engineering 29, 419–433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.09.017 Contact details for authors: p.burgess@cranfield.ac.uk; a.graves@cranfield.ac.uk ===== EcoYield-SAFE v2 in Excel.xlsm========================================= Suggested reference for model: Burgess, P.J., Graves, A., Giannitsopoulos, M., Upson, M., Palma, J.H.N. (2025) EcoYield-SAFE v 2 model in Excel. Bedfordshire: Cranfield University. 1 March 2025 ===== Description of EcoYield-SAFE v2 in Excel.doc========================================= This document describes: • the background to the development of the EcoYield-SAFE model, • the ten worksheets within the model in Excel ===== Yield-SAFE Model Improvements=================================================== This report describes the additional algorithms added to the model Palma, J.H.N., Graves, A.R., Crous-Duran J, Upson, M., Paulo, J.A., Oliveira, T.S., Silvestre Garcia de Jalón, S., Burgess, P.J. (2016). Yield-SAFE Model Improvements. Milestone Report 29 (6.4) for EU FP7 Research Project: AGFORWARD 613520. (5 July 2016). 30 pp. https://www.agforward.eu/yield-safe-model-improvements.html ==================================================================================== ====================================================================================