In its simplest form, the AEZ framework contains three basic elements as sketched in the figure below:
| (i) | Selected agricultural production systems with defined input and management relationships, and crop-specific environmental requirements and adaptability characteristics. These are termed Land Utilization Types (LUT); |
| (ii) | Geo-referenced climate, soil and terrain data which are combined into a land resources database, and |
| (iii) | Procedures for the calculation of potential yields and for matching crop/LUT environmental requirements with the respective environmental characteristics captured in the land resources database, by land unit and grid-cell. |
Conceptual framework of Agro-Ecological Zones methodology
The term agro-ecological zones methodology has been associated with a wide range of different activities which are often related yet quite different in scope and objectives. FAO and IIASA subdivide the AEZ methodology as follows:
First, AEZ provides a standardized framework for the characterization of climate, soil and terrain conditions relevant to agricultural production.
Second, AEZ matching procedures are used to identify crop-specific limitations of prevailing climate, soil and terrain resources, under assumed levels of inputs and management conditions. This part of the AEZ methodology provides maximum potential and agronomically attainable crop yields of basic land resources units (grid-cells).
Third, AEZ provides the frame for various applications, such as quantification of land productivity, extents of land with rain-fed or irrigated cultivation potential, estimation of the land's population supporting capacity, and multi-criteria optimization of land resources use and development.