Data Envelopment Analysis Journal > Vol 4 > Issue 2

New Indication Method Using Pedo-Econometric Approach

Katsutoshi Mizuta, University of Florida, USA, katsutoshimizuta@ufl.edu , Sabine Grunwald, University of Florida, USA, Michelle A. Phillips, University of Florida, USA, Wendell P. Cropper Jr., University of Florida, USA, Won Suk Lee, University of Florida, USA, Gustavo M. Vasques, Embrapa Solos, Brazil
 
Suggested Citation
Katsutoshi Mizuta, Sabine Grunwald, Michelle A. Phillips, Wendell P. Cropper Jr., Won Suk Lee and Gustavo M. Vasques (2019), "New Indication Method Using Pedo-Econometric Approach", Data Envelopment Analysis Journal: Vol. 4: No. 2, pp 207-241. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/103.00000028

Publication Date: 12 Dec 2019
© 2019 K. Mizuta, S. Grunwald, M.A. Phillips, W.P. Cropper Jr., W.S. Lee and G.M. Vasques
 
Subjects
Interdisciplinary influence,  Applications and case studies,  Clustering,  Data mining,  Dimensionality reduction,  Evaluation,  Nonparametric methods,  Optimization,  Modeling and analysis,  Environmental economics,  Climate change
 
Keywords
Soilecologyenvironmental healthsoil health/qualityclimate change
 

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Abbreviations 
1. Introduction 
2. Materials and Methods 
3. Results 
4. Discussion 
5. Conclusions 
Acknowledgements 
References 

Abstract

Conventional multivariate statistics that have been used to create indication systems to assess soil functions raise theoretical and practical issues. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) that can overcome such issues is a well-known management tool in other fields than soil science. This study is the first to use the DEA for a soil-related phenomenon across a large region. Soil carbon sequestration (SCseq) capability index scores in Florida, USA, were computed using the DEA with two settings (free disposability hull, FDH and variable returns-to-scale, VRS) to assess the soil carbon sequestration function. Findings suggest that sites with high annual temperature, precipitation, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index as inputs were most efficient to sequester carbon in soils. The novel pedo-econometric approach enables to optimize the SCseq and guides future management to enhance soil carbon, and thus, soil health.

DOI:10.1561/103.00000028