The PRISM-Internet Mapserver Species Suitability Model map of tall fescue suitability involves quantifying environmental parameters which control fescue growth and survival. The composite tall fescue suitability maps for the United States and China are obtained when the tolerances for low and high temperatures for growth and survival, annual precipitation, water-balance relative yield, soil drainage, pH, and salinity (Table 3-1) are combined (Fig. 3-8a and 3-8b).

In addition to the combined maps shown below in Fig. 3-8a and 3-8b, a link is provided for displaying the maps that result from applying the six climate and soil tolerance criteria in a stepwise process for the US and PRC, respectively; the first map represents suitability zones based only on July mean maximum temperature limits, the second adds January mean minimum temperature limits, the third adds annual precipitation, the fourth adds soil pH, the fifth adds soil drainage, and the sixth adds salinity tolerances for the suitability zones.

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Table 3-1. Limit input values in the PRISM Species Suitability Model for setting tall fescue suitability categories. Grid locations for which values fall outside the threshold extremes are mapped as unsuited for tall fescue.

 

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Fig. 3-8a. Tall fescue suitability map for US using all climatic and edaphic factors.

Series of US maps resulting from stepwise addition of tolerance factors

         

Fig. 3-8b. Tall fescue suitability map for China using all climatic and edaphic factors.

Series of PRC maps resulting from stepwise addition of tolerance factors

             
 
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