Global and Regional Ecosystem Modeling: Databases of Model Drivers and Validation Measurements

Understanding global-scale ecosystem responses to changing environmental conditions is important both as a scientific question and as the basis for making policy decisions. The confidence in regional models depends on how well the field data used to develop the model represent the region of interest, how well the environmental model driving variables (e.g., vegetation type, climate, and soils associated with a site used to parameterize ecosystem models) represent the region of interest, and how well regional model predictions agree with observed data for the region. To assess the accuracy of global model forecasts of terrestrial carbon cycling, two Ecosystem Model-Data Intercomparison (EMDI) workshops were held (December 1999 and April 2001). The workshops included 17 biogeochemical, satellite-driven, detailed process, and dynamic vegetation global model types. The approach was to run regional or global versions of the models for sites with net primary productivity (NPP) measurements (i.e., not fine-tuned for specific site conditions) and analyze the model-data differences. Extensive worldwide NPP data were assembled with model driver data, including vegetation, climate, and soils data, to perform the intercomparison. This report describes the compilation of NPP estimates for 2,523 sites and 5,164 0.5{sup o}-grid cells under the Global Primary Production Data Initiative (GPPDI) and the results of the EMDI review and outlier analysis that produced a refined set of NPP estimates and model driver data. The EMDI process resulted in 81 Class A sites, 933 Class B sites, and 3,855 Class C cells derived from the original synthesis of NPP measurements and associated driver data. Class A sites represent well-documented study sites that have complete aboveground and below ground NPP measurements. Class B sites represent more numerous ''extensive'' sites with less documentation and site-specific information available. Class C cells represent estimates of NPP for 0.5{sup o}-grid cells for which inventory, modeling, or remote-sensing tools were used to scale up the point measurements. Documentation of the content and organization of the EMDI databases are provided.

[1]  Stephen D. Prince,et al.  Terrestrial net primary production estimates for 0.5o grid cells from field observations-a contribution to global biogeochemical modeling , 2003 .

[2]  R. J. Olson,et al.  Estimating net primary productivity from grassland biomass dynamics measurements , 2002 .

[3]  J. Scurlock,et al.  Terrestrial net primary productivity A brief history and a new worldwide database , 2002 .

[4]  R. B. Jackson,et al.  Using simple environmental variables to estimate below-ground productivity in grasslands , 2002 .

[5]  R. J. Olson,et al.  NET PRIMARY PRODUCTION AND CARBON ALLOCATION PATTERNS OF BOREAL FOREST ECOSYSTEMS , 2001 .

[6]  Jonathan D. Haskett,et al.  NET PRIMARY PRODUCTION OF U.S. MIDWEST CROPLANDS FROM AGRICULTURAL HARVEST YIELD DATA , 2001 .

[7]  J. Ni,et al.  Synthesis and analysis of biomass and net primary productivity in Chinese forests , 2001 .

[8]  Jeffrey Q. Chambers,et al.  MEASURING NET PRIMARY PRODUCTION IN FORESTS: CONCEPTS AND FIELD METHODS , 2001 .

[9]  P. Hanson,et al.  A six-year study of sapling and large-tree growth and mortality responses to natural and induced variability in precipitation and throughfall. , 2001, Tree physiology.

[10]  J. Townshend,et al.  Global land cover classi(cid:142) cation at 1 km spatial resolution using a classi(cid:142) cation tree approach , 2004 .

[11]  H. Mooney,et al.  Carbon metabolism of the terrestrial biosphere , 2000 .

[12]  Changhui Peng,et al.  Modelling the spatial pattern of net primary productivity in Chinese forests , 1999 .

[13]  Sandra A. Brown,et al.  Spatial distribution of biomass in forests of the eastern USA , 1999 .

[14]  A. Bondeau,et al.  Comparing global models of terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP): overview and key results , 1999 .

[15]  Changes in the non-Federal land base involving forestry in western Oregon, 1961-94. , 1999 .

[16]  Gloor,et al.  A Large Terrestrial Carbon Sink in North America Implied by Atmospheric and Oceanic Carbon Dioxide Data and Models , 2022 .

[17]  E. H. Wharton,et al.  Estimating total forest biomass in Maine, 1995 , 1998 .

[18]  W. Murdoch.  National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis , 1998 .

[19]  R. J. Olson,et al.  Worldwide estimates and bibliography of net primary productivity derived from pre-1982 publications , 1997 .

[20]  Kaj Andersson,et al.  A new methodology for the estimation of biomass of coniferdominated boreal forest using NOAA AVHRR data , 1997 .

[21]  Eileen H. Helmer,et al.  Root biomass allocation in the world's upland forests , 1997, Oecologia.

[22]  D. Schimel,et al.  CONTINENTAL SCALE VARIABILITY IN ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES: MODELS, DATA, AND THE ROLE OF DISTURBANCE , 1997 .

[23]  B. Wylie,et al.  NDVI, C3 AND C4 PRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN GREAT PLAINS GRASSLAND LAND COVER CLASSES , 1997 .

[24]  A. L. King,et al.  Streamlined environmental remediation characterization using remote sensing techniques: Case studies for the US Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Operations , 1996 .

[25]  S. Goetz,et al.  Remote sensing of net primary production in boreal forest stands , 1996 .

[26]  David P. Turner,et al.  A Carbon Budget for Forests of the Conterminous United States , 1995 .

[27]  W. Cohen,et al.  Estimating the age and structure of forests in a multi-ownership landscape of western Oregon, U.S.A. , 1995 .

[28]  N. Batjes,et al.  A homogenized soil data file for global environmental research: A subset of FAO, ISRIC and NRCS profiles (Version 1.0) , 1995 .

[29]  Kamaljit S. Bawa,et al.  La Selva: ecology and natural history of a neotropical rain forest. , 1995 .

[30]  K. Bawa,et al.  La Selva: Ecology and Natural History of a Neotropical Rain Forest , 1995 .

[31]  S. Kalluri,et al.  The Pathfinder AVHRR land data set: An improved coarse resolution data set for terrestrial monitoring , 1994 .

[32]  Richard H. Waring,et al.  Environmental Limits on Net Primary Production and Light‐Use Efficiency Across the Oregon Transect , 1994 .

[33]  C. D. Keeling,et al.  Atmospheric CO 2 records from sites in the SIO air sampling network , 1994 .

[34]  M. Lautenschlager,et al.  Estimating the change of carbon in the terrestrial biosphere from 18 000 BP to present using a carbon cycle model. , 1994, Environmental pollution.

[35]  Jeffry E Moll,et al.  REDUCING LOW-VOLUME ROAD IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT: SUCCESS IN THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE , 1993 .

[36]  O. Sala,et al.  Long-Term Forage Production of North American Shortgrass Steppe. , 1992, Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America.

[37]  Scott J. Goetz,et al.  Biophysical, morphological, canopy optical property, and productivity data from the Superior National Forest , 1992 .

[38]  A. McGuire,et al.  Interactions between carbon and nitrogen dynamics in estimating net primary productivity for potential vegetation in North America , 1992 .

[39]  G. Esser.  Implications of Climate Change for Production and Decomposition in Grasslands and Coniferous Forests. , 1992, Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America.

[40]  Mark H. Hansen,et al.  The Eastwide forest inventory data base: users manual. , 1992 .

[41]  E. Rastetter,et al.  Potential Net Primary Productivity in South America: Application of a Global Model. , 1991, Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America.

[42]  W. Cramer,et al.  The IIASA database for mean monthly values of temperature , 1991 .

[43]  K. Vogt.  Carbon budgets of temperate forest ecosystems. , 1991, Tree physiology.

[44]  A. Diouf,et al.  AVHRR monitoring of savanna primary production in Senegal, West Africa: 1987-1988 , 1991 .

[45]  Knute J. Nadelhoffer,et al.  Belowground Carbon Allocation in Forest Ecosystems: Global Trends , 1989 .

[46]  W. Parton,et al.  Primary Production of the Central Grassland Region of the United States , 1988 .

[47]  H. Gholz,et al.  Early vegetation recovery and element cycles on a clear-cut watershed in western Oregon , 1985 .

[48]  W. S. Benninghoff.  Structure and Function of Northern Coniferous Forests—An Ecosystem Study , 1984 .

[49]  P. J. Wood,et al.  World Forest Biomass and Primary Production Data. , 1983 .

[50]  T. Persson.  Structure and Function of Northern Coniferous Forests-an Ecosystem Study. , 1982 .

[51]  S. Linder,et al.  ANNUAL CARBON BUDGET FOR A YOUNG SCOTS PINE , 1980 .

[52]  J. Singh,et al.  The structure and function of ten Western North American grasslands: III. Net primary production, turnover and efficiencies of energy capture and water use , 1978 .

[53]  C. C. Grier,et al.  Old‐Growth Pseudotsuga menziesii Communities of a Western Oregon Watershed: Biomass Distribution and Production Budgets , 1977 .

[54]  James N. Long,et al.  Accumulation of organic matter in a series of Douglas-Fir stands , 1975 .

[55]  H. Lieth.  Modeling the Primary Productivity of the World , 1975 .

[56]  J. Singh,et al.  SEASONAL VARIATION IN COMPOSITION, PLANT BIOMASS, AND NET PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY OF A TROPICAL GRASSLAND AT KURUKSHETRA, INDIA' , 1974 .

[57]  J. Gray.  The Office for Scientific and Technical Information , 1968, Nature.