Models

IN THIS ARTICLE

Select and enable models to estimate the environmental benefits of your planned implementation activity. This article walks through the components to calculate environmental benefits.

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Models

Models are associated with individual activities. Most models require a combination of inputs collected during the activity set-up process (activity type and location via geometry) and unit inputs for the extent. Some models require additional inputs in order to generate outputs.

🌱 Learn more about the models hosted by FieldDoc: Models

Generate outcomes using models

The models page changes depending on the activity type that you selected. Let's tour a common view of this page.

Step-by-step tour

The model view changes depending on the activity type selected and the model selected. This tour displays a basic Adapted CAST activity type, Bioretention/rain gardens - A/B soils, no underdrain.

1. Select the model that you want to use from the drop down.

2. The Best Management practice code is based on the selected Activity_type and is uneditable from the model view.

3. The Land river segment(s) is based on the delineated geometry and is uneditable from the model view.

4. Unit type is populated from the efficienty tables associated with the Adapted CAST model. This is not an editable field. All CAST BMPs have a single selectable unit type.

5. Enter the Unit value.

6. Click Save inputs.

Model Tips

• If you last ran the model prior to 2024, we recommend using the clear button to refresh the page and re-calculate the outputs.

• The Adapted CAST model does not include efficiencies for every combination of land-river segment and activity type. If the efficiency tables used to calculate load reductions do not contain values for your selected land-river segment, the model view will display a message indicating this. In such cases, you will not be able to generate load reduction estimates based on your inputs.

Common questions

How do I clear model calculations?

If, for whatever reason, you want to remove the calculated inputs from this activity record, click the Clear icon in the upper right hand corner. This will remove the input and associated calculated outputs.

I disagree with the model outputs. Can I use custom values?

Yes. Models are representations of real-world scenarios. The outputs generated from these models may not align with your expected outcomes for this activity. As such, you may choose to associate alternative environmental benefit estimates with your activity record. You will do this by using the Metrics tabs.

Organization metric tracking

If you are tracking these outcomes for your Organization, please add the associated metrics to your curated Metrics list within your portfolio. Then, you can associate those metrics with this activity record and assign the planned value that better aligns with your intended outcomes.

Programmatic metric tracking

Once you have associated this record with a Pact, you can assign programmatic metrics to the record. If your program allows it, you can select the associated metrics and enter the planned_value that you think more accurately represents the expected outcome for your record. Your funder may ask that you upload documentation of how your arrived at your estimated outcomes to your Documents tab.

Why didn't my outputs change when I completed my activity?

The models used to calculate outputs in FieldDoc assume that the activity has already been installed. Think of it this way: If I install this activity as planned, what would the estimated load reduction be?

The outputs reflect a post-installation scenario based on the inputs you provide. They will not update automatically after the work is completed. However, if you change the model inputs—such as the extent, location, or activity type—the calculated outputs will adjust accordingly.