Soil Evaporation, Transpiration and Canopy Evaporation in Community Land Model (CLM 3.0) Compared to Simple Biosphere Model (SiB 2.0)

University Of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

This 12-month project will diagnose a problem in the Community Land Model Version 3 (CLM3) of the Community Climate System Model (CCSM3) - the climate model for use by the university community maintained by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Newly-developed land surface parameters consistent with current satellite data result in year round reduced precipitation, dryer soils and reduced evapotranspiration in CCSM3 simulation - an unexpected and unacceptable result. The PIs will develop matching land surface parameterizations for CLM3 consistent with an existing well-validated land model to pinpoint the sources of the behavior, and validate with observed flux tower data. The goal is to correct this problem in the community model. The PIs will extend the development of the Simple Excel Land Surface Parameterization Investigation Tool for land surface model parameterization inter-comparison and make it available to the community for research and educational activities.