scholarly journals Coupling the Canadian Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (CTEM v. 2.0) to Environment and Climate Change Canada's greenhouse gas forecast model (v.107-glb)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 631-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bakr Badawy ◽  
Saroja Polavarapu ◽  
Dylan B. A. Jones ◽  
Feng Deng ◽  
Michael Neish ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Atmospheric Transport ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Co2 Flux ◽  
Forecast Model ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Meteorological Forcing ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem Model

Abstract. The Canadian Land Surface Scheme and the Canadian Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (CLASS-CTEM) together form the land surface component in the family of Canadian Earth system models (CanESMs). Here, CLASS-CTEM is coupled to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)'s weather and greenhouse gas forecast model (GEM-MACH-GHG) to consistently model atmosphere–land exchange of CO2. The coupling between the land and the atmospheric transport model ensures consistency between meteorological forcing of CO2 fluxes and CO2 transport. The procedure used to spin up carbon pools for CLASS-CTEM for multi-decadal simulations needed to be significantly altered to deal with the limited availability of consistent meteorological information from a constantly changing operational environment in the GEM-MACH-GHG model. Despite the limitations in the spin-up procedure, the simulated fluxes obtained by driving the CLASS-CTEM model with meteorological forcing from GEM-MACH-GHG were comparable to those obtained from CLASS-CTEM when it is driven with standard meteorological forcing from the Climate Research Unit (CRU) combined with reanalysis fields from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) to form CRU-NCEP dataset. This is due to the similarity of the two meteorological datasets in terms of temperature and radiation. However, notable discrepancies in the seasonal variation and spatial patterns of precipitation estimates, especially in the tropics, were reflected in the estimated carbon fluxes, as they significantly affected the magnitude of the vegetation productivity and, to a lesser extent, the seasonal variations in carbon fluxes. Nevertheless, the simulated fluxes based on the meteorological forcing from the GEM-MACH-GHG model are consistent to some extent with other estimates from bottom-up or top-down approaches. Indeed, when simulated fluxes obtained by driving the CLASS-CTEM model with meteorological data from the GEM-MACH-GHG model are used as prior estimates for an atmospheric CO2 inversion analysis using the adjoint of the GEOS-Chem model, the retrieved CO2 flux estimates are comparable to those obtained from other systems in terms of the global budget and the total flux estimates for the northern extratropical regions, which have good observational coverage. In data-poor regions, as expected, differences in the retrieved fluxes due to the prior fluxes become apparent. Coupling CLASS-CTEM into the Environment Canada Carbon Assimilation System (EC-CAS) is considered an important step toward understanding how meteorological uncertainties affect both CO2 flux estimates and modeled atmospheric transport. Ultimately, such an approach will provide more direct feedback to the CLASS-CTEM developers and thus help to improve the performance of CLASS-CTEM by identifying the model limitations based on atmospheric constraints.

scholarly journals Coupling the Canadian Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (CTEM v. 2.0) to Environment and Climate Change Canada's greenhouse gas forecast model

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bakr Badawy ◽  
Saroja Polavarapu ◽  
Dylan B. A. Jones ◽  
Feng Deng ◽  
Michael Neish ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Surface ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Atmospheric Transport ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Forecast Model ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Co2 Fluxes ◽  
Meteorological Forcing ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem Model ◽  
Atmospheric Transport Model

Abstract. The Canadian Land Surface Scheme and the Canadian Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (CLASS-CTEM) together form the land surface component in the family of Canadian Earth System Models (CanESM). Here, CLASS-CTEM is coupled to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)'s weather and greenhouse gas forecast model (GEM-MACH-GHG) to consistently model atmosphere-land exchange of CO2. The coupling between the land and the atmospheric transport model ensures consistency between meteorological forcing of CO2 fluxes and CO2 transport. The procedure used to spin up carbon pools for CLASS-CTEM for multi-decadal simulations needed to be significantly altered to deal with the limited availability of consistent meteorological information from a constantly changing operational environment in the GEM-MACH-GHG model. Despite the limitations in the spin up procedure, the simulated fluxes obtained by driving the CLASS-CTEM model with meteorological forcing from GEM-MACH-GHG were comparable to those obtained from CLASS-CTEM when it is driven with standard meteorological forcing (CRU-NCEP). This is due to the similarity of the two meteorological datasets in terms of temperature and radiation. However notable discrepancies in the seasonal variation and spatial patterns of precipitation estimates, especially in the tropics, were reflected in the estimated carbon fluxes, as they significantly affected the magnitude of the vegetation productivity and, to a lesser extent, the seasonal variations in carbon fluxes. Nevertheless, the simulated fluxes based on the meteorological forcing from the GEM-MACH-GHG model are within the range of other estimates from bottom-up or top-down approaches. Indeed, when simulated fluxes obtained by driving the CLASS-CTEM model with meteorological data from the GEM-MACH-GHG model are used as prior estimates for an atmospheric CO2 inversion analysis using the adjoint of the GEOS-Chem model, the retrieved CO2 flux estimates are comparable to those obtained from other systems in terms of the global budget and the total flux estimates for the northern extratropical regions, which have good observational coverage. In data poor regions, as expected, differences in the retrieved fluxes due to the prior fluxes become apparent, but fall within the uncertainty bounds based on multi-inversion analyses. The coupling of CLASS-CTEM to an atmospheric transport model with carbon assimilation capabilities also provides insights into the limitations of CLASS-CTEM simulated CO2 fluxes through comparisons of simulated atmospheric CO2 with observations at selected flask stations. This capability can be used to continually assess and improve the terrestrial ecosystem modules of the CLASS-CTEM model.

scholarly journals Tiling soil textures for terrestrial ecosystem modelling via clustering analysis: a case study with CLASS-CTEM (version 2.1)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe R. Melton ◽  
Reinel Sospedra-Alfonso ◽  
Kelly E. McCusker
Keyword(s):  
Soil Texture ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Clustering Analysis ◽  
Clustering Algorithms ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Grid Cell ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem Model

Abstract. We investigate the application of clustering algorithms to represent sub-grid scale variability in soil texture for use in a global-scale terrestrial ecosystem model. Our model, the coupled Canadian Land Surface Scheme – Canadian Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (CLASS-CTEM), is typically implemented at a coarse spatial resolution (ca. 2.8° × 2.8°) due to its use as the land surface component of the Canadian Earth System Model (CanESM). CLASS-CTEM can, however, be run with tiling of the land surface as a means to represent sub-grid heterogeneity. We first determined that the model was sensitive to tiling of the soil textures via an idealized test case before attempting to cluster soil textures globally. To cluster a high-resolution soil texture dataset onto our coarse model grid, we use two linked algorithms (OPTICS (Ankerst et al., 1999; Daszykowski et al., 2002) and Sander et al. (2003)) to provide tiles of representative soil textures for use as CLASS-CTEM inputs. The clustering process results in, on average, about three tiles per CLASS-CTEM grid cell with most cells having four or less tiles. Results from CLASS-CTEM simulations conducted with the tiled inputs (Cluster) versus those using a simple grid-mean soil texture (Gridmean) show CLASS-CTEM, at least on a global scale, is relatively insensitive to the tiled soil textures, however differences can be large in arid or peatland regions. The Cluster simulation has generally lower soil moisture and lower overall vegetation productivity than the Gridmean simulation except in arid regions where plant productivity increases. In these dry regions, the influence of the tiling is stronger due to the general state of vegetation moisture stress which allows a single tile, whose soil texture retains more plant available water, to yield much higher productivity. Although the use of clustering analysis appears promising as a means to represent sub-grid heterogeneity, soil textures appear to be reasonably represented for global scale simulations using a simple grid-mean value.

scholarly journals An improved parameterization of leaf area index (LAI) seasonality in the Canadian Land Surface Scheme (CLASS) and Canadian Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (CTEM) modelling framework

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Asaadi ◽  
Vivek K. Arora ◽  
Joe R. Melton ◽  
Paul Bartlett
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area Index ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem Model ◽  
Modelling Framework ◽  
Canadian Land Surface Scheme ◽  
Surface Scheme

Abstract. Leaf area index (LAI) and its seasonal dynamics are key determinants of vegetation productivity in nature and as represented in terrestrial biosphere models seeking to understand land-surface atmosphere flux dynamics and its response to climate change. Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) and their seasonal variability are known to play a crucial role in seasonal variation of leaf phenology and growth and functioning of plants. The carbon stored in NSC pools provides a buffer during times when supply and demand of carbon are asynchronous. An example of this role is illustrated when NSCs from previous years are used to initiate leaf onset at the arrival of favourable weather conditions. In this study, we incorporate NSC pools and associated parameterizations of new processes in the modelling framework of the Canadian Land Surface Scheme-Canadian Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (CLASS-CTEM) with an aim to improve the seasonality of simulated LAI. The performance of these new parameterizations is evaluated by comparing simulated LAI and atmosphere-land CO2 fluxes, to their observation-based estimates, at three sites characterized by broadleaf cold deciduous trees selected from the Fluxnet database. Results show an improvement in leaf onset and offset times with about 2 weeks shift towards earlier times during the year in better agreement with observations. These improvements in simulated LAI help to improve the simulated seasonal cycle of gross primary productivity (GPP) and as a result simulated net ecosystem productivity (NEP) as well.

scholarly journals Regional inversion of CO<sub>2</sub> ecosystem fluxes from atmospheric measurements: reliability of the uncertainty estimates

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 5769-5804
Author(s):  
G. Broquet ◽  
F. Chevallier ◽  
F.-M. Bréon ◽  
M. Alemanno ◽  
F. Apadula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eddy Covariance ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Co2 Flux ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Theoretical Uncertainty ◽  
Atmospheric Measurements ◽  
European Continent ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem Model ◽  
Uncertainty Estimates

Abstract. The Bayesian framework of CO2 flux inversions permits estimates of the retrieved flux uncertainties. Here, the reliability of these theoretical estimates is studied through a comparison against the misfits between the inverted fluxes and independent measurements of the CO2 Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) made by the eddy covariance technique at local (few hectares) scale. Regional inversions at 0.5° resolution are applied for the western European domain where ~ 50 eddy covariance sites are operated. These inversions are conducted for a 6-yr period (2002–2007). They use a mesoscale atmospheric transport model, a prior estimate of the NEE from a terrestrial ecosystem model and rely on the variational assimilation of in situ continuous measurements of CO2 atmospheric mole fractions. The misfits averaged over monthly periods and over the whole domain, are in good agreement with the theoretical uncertainties for prior (respectively inverted) NEE, with positive chi-square tests for the variance at the 2% (respectively 20%) significance levels, despite the scale mismatch and the independence between the prior (respectively inverted) NEE and the flux measurements. The theoretical uncertainty reduction for the monthly NEE at the measurement sites is 53% while the inversion actually decreases the standard deviation of the misfits by as much as 38%. These results build confidence in the NEE estimates at the European/monthly scales and in their theoretical uncertainty from the regional inverse modeling system. However, the uncertainties at the monthly (respectively annual) scale remain larger than the amplitude of the inter-annual variability of monthly (respectively annual) fluxes, so that there is a low confidence in the inter-annual variations. The uncertainties at the monthly scale are significantly smaller than the seasonal variations. The seasonal cycle of the inverted fluxes is thus reliable. In particular, the CO2 sink period over the European continent likely ends later than represented by the ecosystem model.

scholarly journals Ecosystem heterogeneity determines the ecological resilience of the Amazon to climate change

2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 793-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi M. Levine ◽  
Ke Zhang ◽  
Marcos Longo ◽  
Alessandro Baccini ◽  
Oliver L. Phillips ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Ecological Resilience ◽  
Biomass Composition ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem Model ◽  
Age Structured

Amazon forests, which store ∼50% of tropical forest carbon and play a vital role in global water, energy, and carbon cycling, are predicted to experience both longer and more intense dry seasons by the end of the 21st century. However, the climate sensitivity of this ecosystem remains uncertain: several studies have predicted large-scale die-back of the Amazon, whereas several more recent studies predict that the biome will remain largely intact. Combining remote-sensing and ground-based observations with a size- and age-structured terrestrial ecosystem model, we explore the sensitivity and ecological resilience of these forests to changes in climate. We demonstrate that water stress operating at the scale of individual plants, combined with spatial variation in soil texture, explains observed patterns of variation in ecosystem biomass, composition, and dynamics across the region, and strongly influences the ecosystem’s resilience to changes in dry season length. Specifically, our analysis suggests that in contrast to existing predictions of either stability or catastrophic biomass loss, the Amazon forest’s response to a drying regional climate is likely to be an immediate, graded, heterogeneous transition from high-biomass moist forests to transitional dry forests and woody savannah-like states. Fire, logging, and other anthropogenic disturbances may, however, exacerbate these climate change-induced ecosystem transitions.

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