AgChem Spatial Analysis
The use of geographic and temporal information to understand environmental conditions is integral to many of our agrochemical field studies. Working with Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, we compile, store, and display enormous amounts of data and perform spatial analyses to guide study design, support product use, and inform all stakeholders. The inclusion of spatial and temporal variables in assessments ultimately saves time and money. When higher-tiered assessments of environmental vulnerability are required, we couple spatial analysis with widely accepted modeling methods to attain a clear, scientifically defensible understanding of the complex landscape.
Our Geospatial and Data Solutions (GDS) team consists of a core group of scientists who specialize in spatial analysis, data management, and programming to evaluate agrochemical fate and transport. In addition to agrochemical fate and exposure work, the GDS team supports two other water quality groups at Stone. This diverse experience base strengthens the group’s analytical abilities and promotes a more comprehensive approach to achieving optimal results for our clients.
We create our own data sets in addition to those we collect and organize from government and academic institutions, building customized interfaces to ease extraction and manipulation of information imperative to environmental assessments. For clients who demand customized analyses for specific applications, we develop GIS tools that automate repetitive processes—such as summarizing crop, land use, soils, and climate characteristics of watersheds or counties—to increase efficiency and save money.
We have extensive experience working with a full spectrum of environmental databases
- Land cover (NLCD)
- Cropping (NASS and Ag Census)
- Soils (SSURGO, STATSGO)
- Topography (NED)
- Hydrography (NHD)
- Climate (NCDC, PRISM)
These databases provide the foundation for many of our spatial assessments. Recognizing the need to provide environmental data to large numbers of users, we build Web-based databases and GIS applications, empowering a virtually unlimited number of users with environmental information customized for their application.
