WebStart WEPS: WEPS with Remote Data Access and Cloud-Computing Functionality

Highlights WebStart WEPS is a Java enabled browser-accessible version of WEPS. This model-as-a-service cloud-based system provides remote access to model inputs and execution. Default QuickPlot reports are provided quickly visualize results. MapViewer revisions improve map-based site selections. Abstract . The Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) physical process-based wind erosion developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). simulates daily climate management-driven changes surface, vegetation, soil. It estimates losses when surface conditions speeds sufficient for soil movement. was released in 2010 Natural Resources Conservation (USDA-NRCS) assisting land managers controlling erosion, establishing field-level plans conservation, determining susceptibility as part national conservation programs conserve resource. interface allows easy user national-scale input data. Four primary required set up execute run: (1) field dimensions; (2) location, which automatically determines applicable local data; (3) representative soil; (4) time series management practices. These require significant amount data, typically stored locally; however, maintaining these data on every computer running keeping them current were problematic NRCS. To address concerns, functionality incorporated into deliver well soil, operation, crop/residue, (a date-sequenced list operations) records. In addition, also features option components remotely “in cloud” web services. framework simplified delivery mechanism users’ computers offers automatic updating capability. Keywords: Cloud services, CSIP, Erosion, WebStart, Modeling, WEPS, erosion.