5. Conclusions
This paper discussed the structure, design, objectives, development, and application of WIDSS. The developing process is integrated with infield sensor construction, software programming, data interface, and communication design. Browser/Server development architecture is adopted to realise automatic data acquisition, complicated computing process encapsulation, and input and output (IO) graphical display.
The application in YSD showed the practicability of the system. It will determine when irrigation is needed, how much water is required, and offer guidance on canal operation. The system can change the current irrigation situation (keeping small flow for a long time) and effectively save water in Southern China. However, the system still needs further research on (1) response of yield decrease corresponding to insufficient irrigation, (2) monitoring station construction site selection problems, and (3) irrigation risk assessment and system universality improvement.