EPIC functions on a daily time step and can simulate hundreds of years. Since the initial development, EPIC has been continually improving through the additions of algorithms to simulate water quality, nitrogen and carbon cycling, climate change, and the effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The processes simulated include leaf interception of solar radiation; conversion to biomass; division of biomass into roots, above ground mass, and economic yield; root growth; water use; and nutrient uptake. It can be configured for a wide range of crop rotations and other vegetative systems, tillage systems, and other management practices. The model can also assess the cost of erosion for determining optimal management strategies.