scholarly journals Assessment of glacier melt-model transferability: comparison of temperature-index and energy-balance models

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2143-2167 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. MacDougall ◽  
B. A. Wheler ◽  
G. E. Flowers
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Energy Balance Model ◽  
The Other ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Simple Relationship ◽  
Temperature Index ◽  
Full Energy ◽  
Model Transferability ◽  
Glacier Melt ◽  
Surface Ablation

Abstract. Transferability of glacier melt models is necessary for reliable projections of melt over large glacierized regions and over long time-scales. The transferability of such models has been examined for individual model types, but inter-comparison has been hindered by the diversity of validation statistics used to quantify transferability. We apply four common types of melt models – the classical degree-day model, an enhanced temperature-index model, a simplified energy-balance model and a full energy-balance model – to two glaciers in the same small mountain range. The transferability of each model is examined in space and over two melt seasons. We find that the full energy balance model is consistently the most transferable, with deviations in estimated glacier-wide surface ablation of ≤ 35% when the model is forced with parameters derived from the other glacier and/or melt season. The other three models have deviations in glacier-wide surface ablation of ≥ 100% under the same forcings. In addition, we find that there is no simple relationship between model complexity and model transferability.

scholarly journals A preliminary assessment of glacier melt-model parameter sensitivity and transferability in a dry subarctic environment

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 1011-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. MacDougall ◽  
B. A. Wheler ◽  
G. E. Flowers
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Parameter Sensitivity ◽  
Energy Balance Model ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Temperature Index ◽  
Model Parameter ◽  
Index Model ◽  
Degree Day ◽  
Model Tuning

Abstract. Efforts to project the long-term melt of mountain glaciers and ice-caps require that melt models developed and calibrated for well studied locations be transferable over large regions. Here we assess the sensitivity and transferability of parameters within several commonly used melt models for two proximal sites in a dry subarctic environment of northwestern Canada. The models range in complexity from a classical degree-day model to a simplified energy-balance model. Parameter sensitivity is first evaluated by tuning the melt models to the output of an energy balance model forced with idealized inputs. This exercise allows us to explore parameter sensitivity both to glacier geometric attributes and surface characteristics, as well as to meteorological conditions. We then investigate the effect of model tuning with different statistics, including a weighted coefficient of determination (wR2), the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency criterion (E), mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean squared error (RMSE). Finally we examine model parameter transferability between two neighbouring glaciers over two melt seasons using mass balance data collected in the St. Elias Mountains of the southwest Yukon. The temperature-index model parameters appear generally sensitive to glacier aspect, mean surface elevation, albedo, wind speed, mean annual temperature and temperature lapse rate. The simplified energy balance model parameters are sensitive primarily to snow albedo. Model tuning with E, MAE and RMSE produces similar, or in some cases identical, parameter values. In twelve tests of spatial and/or temporal parameter transferability, the results with the lowest RMSE values with respect to ablation stake measurements were achieved twice with a classical temperature-index (degree-day) model, three times with a temperature-index model in which the melt parameter is a function of potential radiation, and seven times with a simplified energy-balance model. A full energy-balance model produced better results than the other models in nine of twelve cases, though the tuning of this model differs from that of the others.

scholarly journals Response of the Energy Balance on the Margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet to Temperature Changes

1990 ◽  
Vol 36 (123) ◽  
pp. 217-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger J. Braithwaite ◽  
Ole B. Olesen
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Sensible Heat Flux ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Temperature Response ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Energy Balance Model ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Sensible Heat

AbstractDaily ice ablation on two outlet glaciers from the Greenland ice sheet, Nordbogletscher (1979–83) and Qamanârssûp sermia (1980–86), is related to air temperature by a linear regression equation. Analysis of this ablation-temperature equation with the help of a simple energy-balance model shows that sensible-heat flux has the greatest temperature response and accounts for about one-half of the temperature response of ablation. Net radiation accounts for about one-quarter of the temperature response of ablation, and latent-heat flux and errors account for the remainder. The temperature response of sensible-heat flux at QQamanârssûp sermia is greater than at Nordbogletscher mainly due to higher average wind speeds. The association of high winds with high temperatures during Föhn events further increases sensible-heat flux. The energy-balance model shows that ablation from a snow surface is only about half that from an ice surface at the same air temperature.

Estimation of mass and energy balance of glaciers using a distributed energy balance model over the Chandra river basin (Western Himalaya)

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akansha Patel ◽  
Ajanta Goswami ◽  
Jaydeo K. Dharpure ◽  
Meloth Thamban ◽  
Parmanand Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Energy Balance Model ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Distributed Energy

Surface energy balance model of transpiration from variable canopy cover and evaporation from residue-covered or bare-soil systems

2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Octavio Lagos ◽  
Derrel L. Martin ◽  
Shashi B. Verma ◽  
Andrew Suyker ◽  
Suat Irmak
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Surface Energy ◽  
Surface Energy Balance ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Energy Balance Model ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Soil Systems

Revisiting albedo from a fuzzy perspective

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Pakdaman ◽  
Majid Habibi Nokhandan ◽  
Yashar Falamarzi
Keyword(s):  
Differential Equation ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Fuzzy Number ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Energy Balance Model ◽  
Fuzzy Differential Equation ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fuzzy Energy ◽  
Fuzzy Derivative

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to revisit the albedo for uncertainty. The albedo is considered as a fuzzy value due to some realistic reasons which they will be discussed in details. After defining an appropriate uncertain albedo by using fuzzy set theory, the related energy balance model is also redefined as a fuzzy differential equation by using the concept of fuzzy derivative.Design/methodology/approachThe well-known Earth energy balance model is redefined as a fuzzy differential equation by using the concept of fuzzy derivative. Thus, instead of an ordinary differential equation, a fuzzy differential equation arises which it's solution procedure will be discussed in details.FindingsResults indicate that the fuzzy uncertainty for albedo causes more real results after solving the fuzzy energy balance equation. Considering albedo as a fuzzy number is more realistic than considering a single certain number for albedo of a surface. This is due to this fact that the Earth's surface coverage is not crisp and the boundaries of different types of lands are not consistent. The proposed approach of this paper can help us to provide more realistic climate models and construct dynamical models which can model the albedo based on its variability.Originality/valueIn this paper, we defined fuzzy energy balance model as a fuzzy differential equation for the first time. We also, considered albedo as a fuzzy number which is another novel approach.

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