The IZIEval interface

An application to help evaluate cropping systems using DEXi models

IZI-Eval is a web application (coded in RShiny) designed to help with the multi-criteria evaluation of cropping systems using models based on DEXi technology.
To find out more about IZI-Eval

IZI-Eval can be used when evaluating a cropping system with an existing DEXi model, or when creating (or modifying) a new model by providing 3 main functionalities:

1- Access to contextualised references to define the input criteria class. The data used to calculate the references are those of the DEPHY Farm network. This functionality was deemed necessary by DEXi model users, as these references are very often needed to determine contextualised threshold values, which can be quite difficult to find.
For example: at what value can the gross margin in €/ha be considered “good” in Burgundy for arable and organic farming systems?

Si vous le souhaitez, vous pouvez avoir un aperçu des données disponibles pour les filières grande culture – polyculture élevage et arboriculture sur le site DEPHYGraph.

If you wish, you can get an overview of the data available for the arable farming, mixed farming and arboriculture sectors on the DEPHYGraph website.

2- Representing the results of an evaluation carried out by a DEXi model. For the moment, IZI-Eval offers a representation in the form of synoptic tables, which allow the evaluation of two or more systems to be compared on all criteria and discussed. Further developments are planned for this functionality, in particular the generation of automatic reports compiling the main evaluation results.

Example of a synoptic table for the economic dimension of a system's sustainability, determined using the MASC 2.0 model

tableau synop IZI Eval

3- Analysing models (sensitivity analyses and Monte-Carlo sampling): these analyses are useful in two types of situation:

  • when creating or modifying an existing model: this consolidates and validates the structure of the model (identifying and removing errors or criteria with very low sensitivity, correcting the balance between certain branches of the model, etc.);
  • when using an existing model: this makes it easier to get to grips with, by identifying the most sensitive input criteria of the model (to be assessed most carefully).

The analyses are those contained in the R dexisensitivity package and made available via IZI-Eval for users who do not wish to use R directly.

If you are interested in one or more of these features, here is the link to IZI-Eval: https://shiny.sk8.inrae.fr/app/agroecologie-izi-eval. The user guide and the definition of indicators calculated using data from the DEPHY Farm network are available directly from the application.