A model to predict ordinal suitability using sparse and uncertain data

We describe the development of the algorithms that comprise the Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) CaNaSTA (Crop Niche Selection in Tropical Agriculture). The system was designed to assist farmers and agricultural advisors in the tropics to make crop suitability decisions. These decisions are fr...

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Main Authors: Whitsed, R., Corner, Robert, Cook, S.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Pergamon 2011
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/15699
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author Whitsed, R.
Corner, Robert
Cook, S.
author_facet Whitsed, R.
Corner, Robert
Cook, S.
author_sort Whitsed, R.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description We describe the development of the algorithms that comprise the Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) CaNaSTA (Crop Niche Selection in Tropical Agriculture). The system was designed to assist farmers and agricultural advisors in the tropics to make crop suitability decisions. These decisions are frequently made in highly diverse biophysical and socioeconomic environments and must often rely on sparse datasets. The field trial datasets that provide a knowledge base for SDSS such as this are characterised by ordinal response variables. Our approach has been to apply Bayes’ formula as a prediction model. This paper does not describe the entire CaNaSTA system, but rather concentrates on the algorithm of the central prediction model. The algorithm is tested using a simulated dataset to compare results with ordinal regression, and to test the stability of the model with increasingly sparse calibration data. For all but the richest input datasets it outperforms ordinal regression, as determined using Cohen’s weighted kappa. The model also performs well with sparse datasets. Whilst this is not as conclusive as testing with real world data, the results are encouraging.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-156992017-09-13T16:09:10Z A model to predict ordinal suitability using sparse and uncertain data Whitsed, R. Corner, Robert Cook, S. We describe the development of the algorithms that comprise the Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) CaNaSTA (Crop Niche Selection in Tropical Agriculture). The system was designed to assist farmers and agricultural advisors in the tropics to make crop suitability decisions. These decisions are frequently made in highly diverse biophysical and socioeconomic environments and must often rely on sparse datasets. The field trial datasets that provide a knowledge base for SDSS such as this are characterised by ordinal response variables. Our approach has been to apply Bayes’ formula as a prediction model. This paper does not describe the entire CaNaSTA system, but rather concentrates on the algorithm of the central prediction model. The algorithm is tested using a simulated dataset to compare results with ordinal regression, and to test the stability of the model with increasingly sparse calibration data. For all but the richest input datasets it outperforms ordinal regression, as determined using Cohen’s weighted kappa. The model also performs well with sparse datasets. Whilst this is not as conclusive as testing with real world data, the results are encouraging. 2011 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/15699 10.1016/j.apgeog.2011.06.016 Pergamon restricted
spellingShingle Whitsed, R.
Corner, Robert
Cook, S.
A model to predict ordinal suitability using sparse and uncertain data
title A model to predict ordinal suitability using sparse and uncertain data
title_full A model to predict ordinal suitability using sparse and uncertain data
title_fullStr A model to predict ordinal suitability using sparse and uncertain data
title_full_unstemmed A model to predict ordinal suitability using sparse and uncertain data
title_short A model to predict ordinal suitability using sparse and uncertain data
title_sort model to predict ordinal suitability using sparse and uncertain data
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/15699