The integrated model network ITE2M: model set-up and assessment of agricultural land use and management options

The Integrated Tool for Economic and Ecological Modelling (ITEM) is developed to assess landscape services of different land use options. ITEM is a network of several models addressing agroeconomy, agricultural policy and environmental services with respect to soil, water as well as floral and faunal biodiversity. As a central part of ITEM the agro-economic simulation model ProLand predicts land use distributions that are optimal from an economic point of view. ProLand calculates the spatially differentiated maximum land rent accounting for different natural, technical, economic and political boundary conditions. The site specific outputs of ProLand comprise land rent, land use and in particular management information (e.g. crop rotation, fertilizer application, tillage). This data form the basis for other ITEM models. The eco-hydrological model SWAT investigates the effects of these land use options on the water balance and water related nutrient fluxes. The model ATOMIS is applied to estimate the fate of heavy metals in top soils considering respective thresholds for a sustainable soil management. This paper focuses on the interdisciplinary approach of ITEM. It emphasizes the interaction of the three aforementioned models with particular respect on the integration of ProLand land use and management data and SWAT hydrologic information to predict heavy metal accumulation in soil.