Abstract A simple but realistic biosphere model has been developed for calculating the transfer of energy, mass and momentum between the atmosphere and the vegetated surface of the earth. The model is designed for use in atmospheric general circulation models. The vegetation in each terrestrial model grid area is represented by two distinct layers, either or both of which may be present or absent at any given location and time. The upper vegetation layer represents the perennial canopy of trees or shrubs, while the lower layer represents the annual ground cover of grasses and other herbaceous species. The local coverage of each vegetation layer may be fractional or complete but as the individual vegetation elements are considered to be evenly spaced, their root systems are assumed to extend uniformly throughout the entire grid area. Besides the vegetation morphology, the physical and physiological properties of the vegetation layers are also prescribed. These properties determine (i) the reflection, trans...