Evaluating watershed-based optimized decision support framework for conservation practice placement in the Plum Creek Minnesota

This paper presents an integrated decision support framework (DSF) for field-scale placement of conservation practices in agricultural watersheds, demonstrated in the Plum Creek watershed, Minnesota. The DSF combines three GIS-based models: Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF), Prioritize Target Measure Application (PTMApp), and Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN-Scenario Application Manager (HSPF-SAM). Used to optimize conservation practice siting by factoring in terrain, hydrology, cost-effectiveness, and farmer willingness. The approach leverages high-resolution lidar hydrologic data, advanced terrain and flow analysis, and incorporates farmer preferences using fuzzy logic, resulting in realistic and actionable conservation scenarios. Application of this framework resulted in the identification of 537 cost-effective practices, leading to an 8.5% total nitrogen reduction within a $250,000 budget. It demonstrated enhanced planning efficiency and stakeholder engagement at the field scale.