Sensitivity of an ecosystem model to hydrology and temperature

We tested the sensitivity of a dynamic ecosystem model (LPJ-GUESS) to the representation of soil moisture and soil temperature and to uncertainties in the prediction of precipitation and air temperature. We linked the ecosystem model with an advanced hydrological model (JULES) and used its soil moisture and soil temperature as input into the ecosystem model. We analysed these sensitivities along a latitudinal gradient in northern Russia. Differences in soil temperature and soil moisture had only little influence on the vegetation carbon fluxes, whereas the soil carbon fluxes were very sensitive to the JULES soil estimations. The sensitivity changed with latitude, showing stronger influence in the more northern grid cell. The sensitivity of modelled responses of both soil carbon fluxes and vegetation carbon fluxes to uncertainties in soil temperature were high, as both soil and vegetation carbon fluxes were strongly impacted. In contrast, uncertainties in the estimation of the amount of precipitation had little influence on the soil or vegetation carbon fluxes. The high sensitivity of soil respiration to soil temperature and moisture suggests that we should strive for a better understanding and representation of soil processes in ecosystem models to improve the reliability of predictions of future ecosystem change

Assessing climate impact indicators:Evaluation criteria and observed strengths and weaknesses

This report documents and reviews a selected set of climate change and impact indicators. They are documented according to reference criteria that were based on a literature study and later refinement in expert discussions. Methodological description, data requirements and availability, treatment of uncertainty, fitness for purpose of indicator time series, and seven other relevant criteria are documented for a total of 81 climate change and impact related indicators. The indicators were grouped into three tiers that reflect their main purpose of use, ranging from change in climate variables to the socio-economic consequences of climate change. A key observation is the limited availability of indicators that explicitly link climate change with socio-economic phenomena. This might be explained by the complexity of the system that hinders quantitative attribution of economic and multi-level societal development to climatic factors. The strengths and weaknesses of indicators are discussed at a general level and also outlined both on an indicator-by-indicator basis and with respect to their potential uses. The report presents a consistent set of criteria and approaches for the incorporation of indicator information into climate information portals. The collected information on climate change and impact indicators can support the development of the Copernicus Climate Services and the indicators that such services will promote

KLIMZUG-Newsletter

Kurze Berichte zum Thema Klimawandel und Wirtschaft sowie zum Schwerpunktthema Regionalplanung und Stadtentwicklun

Sensitivity of an ecosystem model to hydrology and temperature

We tested the sensitivity of a dynamic ecosystem model (LPJ-GUESS) to the representation of soil moisture and soil temperature and to uncertainties in the prediction of precipitation and air temperature. We linked the ecosystem model with an advanced hydrological model (JULES) and used its soil moisture and soil temperature as input into the ecosystem model. We analysed these sensitivities along a latitudinal gradient in northern Russia. Differences in soil temperature and soil moisture had only little influence on the vegetation carbon fluxes, whereas the soil carbon fluxes were very sensitive to the JULES soil estimations. The sensitivity changed with latitude, showing stronger influence in the more northern grid cell. The sensitivity of modelled responses of both soil carbon fluxes and vegetation carbon fluxes to uncertainties in soil temperature were high, as both soil and vegetation carbon fluxes were strongly impacted. In contrast, uncertainties in the estimation of the amount of precipitation had little influence on the soil or vegetation carbon fluxes. The high sensitivity of soil respiration to soil temperature and moisture suggests that we should strive for a better understanding and representation of soil processes in ecosystem models to improve the reliability of predictions of future ecosystem changes

Indikatoren für Open Science: Report des Helmholtz Open Science Forum

Open Access, Open Research Data und Open Research Software: Diese Themen prägen die aktuellen Diskussionen zu Open Science in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft. Doch an welchen Indikatoren lässt sich der Kulturwandel hin zu Open Science festmachen? Und welche Anreize setzen Indikatoren für die Entwicklung von Open Access? Diesen und weiteren Fragen widmete sich das virtuelle Helmholtz Open Science Forum unter dem Motto „Indikatoren für Open Science“ am 20. Januar 2021. Im Zuge der Veranstaltung wurden anhand von Impuls- und Praxisvorträgen Indikatoren für Open Science vorgestellt, untersucht und mit einem breiten Publikum aus der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft diskutiert. Dieser Report fasst die Vorträge und Diskussionen des Forums zusammen und bietet eine Basis für weitere Entwicklungen des Themenfeldes in der Gemeinschaft