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afsetools Data Reference

Source: DATA_REFERENCE.md

This document describes the 73+ data objects loaded by load_general_data(). All objects are automatically loaded into your R environment when you call this function.

Quick Reference

library(afsetools)
load_general_data()  # Loads all 73+ objects below

Nomenclatures and Classifications (35 objects)

Core Classifications

  • items_full - Complete item nomenclature with codes, names, and categories
  • items_prod_full - Production-specific item classifications
  • items_cbs - Commodity Balance Sheet item codes
  • regions_full - Country codes and names with regional aggregations
  • regions_full_uISO3 - Regional classifications with ISO3 codes

Product Categories

  • Cats - Primary product categories and groupings
  • Cats_proc - Processed product categories
  • Primary_double - Items with multiple primary products (co-products)
  • Secondary_double - Items with multiple secondary products

Processing and Trade

  • Extraction_rates - Processing extraction rates by product
  • Processing_shares - Allocation shares for processing chains
  • Trade_codes - Trade classification codes and mappings
  • Supply_util - Supply utilization categories

Additional Classifications (25+ more objects)

Including specialized nomenclatures for crops, livestock, feed, and regional aggregations.

Biomass Coefficients (17 objects)

Main Coefficients

  • Biomass_coefs - Primary coefficient table containing:
    • Dry matter content (DM)
    • Nitrogen content (N)
    • Carbon content (C)
    • Energy content (energy_MJ_kg)
    • Digestible energy for livestock
    • Metabolizable energy values

Root and Residue Parameters

  • Root_ref - Reference root biomass values by crop type
  • Residue_Shares - Management shares for crop residues (harvested vs. left in field)
  • Root_Shoot_ratios - Root to shoot biomass ratios
  • Harvest_indices - Harvest index values for different crops

Scaling and Conversion Factors

  • Weed_NPP_Scaling - Scaling factors for weed biomass relative to crops
  • Fallow_cover - Vegetation cover fractions on fallow land
  • Land_scaling - Land use intensity scaling factors
  • Protein_digestibility - Protein digestibility coefficients

Additional Coefficients (12+ more objects)

Including specialized conversion factors for different biomass types and management systems.

Global Warming Potentials (7 objects)

  • GWP - Complete GWP table with multiple time horizons
  • GWP_100 - 100-year GWP values (most commonly used)
  • GWP_20 - 20-year GWP values
  • GWP_500 - 500-year GWP values
  • Gas_categories - GHG gas type classifications
  • IPCC_factors - IPCC emission factors
  • CH4_fossil_biogenic - Separate factors for fossil vs biogenic methane

Biological Nitrogen Fixation (3 objects)

  • BNF - BNF parameters including:
    • Ndfa (% of N derived from atmosphere)
    • Leguminous_share (fraction of legumes)
    • BGN (below-ground nitrogen)
    • NHI (nitrogen harvest index)
  • Names_BNF - BNF nomenclature and crop mappings
  • Ndfa_ref - Reference Ndfa values by crop and region

Constants and Scalars (6 objects)

Weed Biomass Constants

  • Residue_kgC_kgDM_W - Carbon content of weed residues (kg C / kg DM)
  • Root_kgC_kgDM_W - Carbon content of weed roots (kg C / kg DM)
  • Residue_kgN_kgDM_W - Nitrogen content of weed residues (kg N / kg DM)
  • Root_kgN_kgDM_W - Nitrogen content of weed roots (kg N / kg DM)
  • Root_Shoot_ratio_W - Root to shoot ratio for weeds
  • Rhizod_kgN_kgRootN_W - Rhizodeposition nitrogen coefficient for weeds

Color Palettes and Vectors (8+ objects)

Impact-Specific Colors

  • Total_color - Color for total/overall impact categories
  • SOM_color - Soil organic matter impact colors
  • GHG_color - Greenhouse gas impact colors
  • N_color - Nitrogen-related impact colors
  • P_color - Phosphorus-related impact colors
  • Land_color - Land use impact colors
  • Water_color - Water use impact colors
  • Energy_color - Energy use impact colors

Utility Vectors

  • Month_names - Month name vectors for plotting
  • Month_numbers - Month number sequences

Data Sources

All coefficients and classifications are derived from harmonized datasets including:

  • FAO Statistics - Production, trade, and commodity balance data
  • IPCC Guidelines - Emission factors and GWP values
  • Scientific Literature - Biomass coefficients and BNF parameters
  • LUH2 Dataset - Land use harmonization data
  • Nutrient Databases - Food composition and nutritional data

Usage Examples

# Load all data
load_general_data()

# Explore nomenclatures
head(items_full)
head(regions_full)

# Check available coefficients
head(Biomass_coefs)
head(GWP)

# Use in calculations
my_data %>%
  left_join(Biomass_coefs, by = "item") %>%
  left_join(GWP, by = "gas_type")

# Access constants
carbon_content <- Residue_kgC_kgDM_W
colors_for_plot <- GHG_color

Object Relationships

Many objects are designed to work together:

  • Items nomenclatures link production data to coefficients
  • Biomass_coefs provides conversion factors for NPP functions
  • GWP values work with emission calculation functions
  • BNF parameters integrate with nitrogen cycling functions
  • Color palettes match the impact categories in results

For function documentation, use R’s help system: ?function_name or help(package = "afsetools").