ABSTRACT
Regional Diagnostic Agro-Ecological Model (MODAR) was initially applied in two regions in Chile, through the joint efforts of the University of Chile, the Institute of Agricultural Development, the Institute of Natural Resources, and regional officials and agronomists. The basic principle of the model is that the greater the stability and the less the energy cost obtained in exploiting an ecosystem, the greater the compatibility achieved between the method of use and the system’s productive capacity. MODAR selects and prioritizes crops for each area by using an analysis that combines variables of climate and soils. Using an analysis of the sensitivity of a group of crops to each climatic parameter, it is possible to determine the agro-ecological thresholds for each crop by defining criteria of homogeneity or tolerance that will result in differentiation of districts. The criteria for intensity of soil use need to be established, along with criteria for spatiotemporal ordering of crops that will guarantee stability in crop productivity.
