IMAGE - User contributions [en]

File:Logo.png

2024-06-21T13:51:54Z

Ioannis:

Welcome to IMAGE 3.3 Documentation

2024-06-21T12:59:02Z

Ioannis:

__NOTOC__ __NOEDITSECTION__<div class="page_standard">[[File:Logo.png|alt=IMAGE logo|left]]IMAGE (Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment) is an integrated assessment model that simulates the environmental consequences of human activities worldwide. It represents interactions between society, the biosphere and the climate system to assess sustainability issues such as climate change, biodiversity and human well-being. The objective of the IMAGE model is to explore the long-term dynamics and impacts of global changes that result from interacting socio-economic and environmental factors. The model is often used to develop scenarios supporting environmental assessments and provide insights into the consequences of different response strategies. News on the IMAGE model is captured at the IMAGE website.

The IMAGE modelling framework has been developed since the 1980s. Originally, the model focused only on climate change, but the focus has shifted to other environmental and sustainable development issues over time. The IMAGE 3.3 version was released in 2022. IMAGE is documented on this website (including updates) and a previous version can be found in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 IMAGE 3.0 book.]In 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2021 IMAGE was reviewed by an international advisory board. The development strategy for the period 2022-2027 is elaborated in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-image-strategy-document-2022-2027 IMAGE strategy document.]

===Navigate the website ===
Below, we briefly indicate some of the information available on this website.
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website| A detailed description of the IMAGE model framework]]
* [[Key model improvements in the IMAGE 3.3 model| What is new in IMAGE 3.3]]
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website]]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/team IMAGE-team]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/publications IMAGE publications]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/projects Projects/applications overview]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-image-strategy-document-2022-2027 IMAGE strategy document]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 The IMAGE 3.0 book]

===Purpose and setup of this site===
* [[About this website, purpose and setup]]
</div>
[[Category:Generic]]

Welcome to IMAGE 3.3 Documentation

2024-04-22T09:56:27Z

Ioannis:

__NOTOC__ __NOEDITSECTION__<div class="page_standard">
[[File:Logo.png|left|link=|alt=IMAGE logo]]
IMAGE (Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment) is an integrated assessment model that simulates the environmental consequences of human activities worldwide. It represents interactions between society, the biosphere and the climate system to assess sustainability issues such as climate change, biodiversity and human well-being. The objective of the IMAGE model is to explore the long-term dynamics and impacts of global changes that result from interacting socio-economic and environmental factors. The model is often used to develop scenarios supporting environmental assessments and provide insights into the consequences of different response strategies. News on the IMAGE model is captured at the IMAGE website.

The IMAGE modelling framework has been developed since the 1980s. Originally, the model focused only on climate change, but the focus has shifted to other environmental and sustainable development issues over time. The IMAGE 3.3 version was released in 2022. IMAGE is documented on this website (including updates) and a previous version can be found in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 IMAGE 3.0 book.]In 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2021 IMAGE was reviewed by an international advisory board. The development strategy for the period 2022-2027 is elaborated in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-image-strategy-document-2022-2027 IMAGE strategy document.]

===Navigate the website ===
Below, we briefly indicate some of the information available on this website.
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website| A detailed description of the IMAGE model framework]]
* [[Key model improvements in the IMAGE 3.3 model| What is new in IMAGE 3.3]]
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website]]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/team IMAGE-team]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/publications IMAGE publications]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/projects Projects/applications overview]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-image-strategy-document-2022-2027 IMAGE strategy document]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 The IMAGE 3.0 book]

===Purpose and setup of this site===
* [[About this website, purpose and setup]]
</div>
[[Category:Generic]]

Welcome to IMAGE 3.3 Documentation

2024-04-22T09:56:13Z

Ioannis:

__NOTOC__ __NOEDITSECTION__<div class="page_standard">
[[File:Logo.png|left|link=|alt=IMAGE logo]]
IMAGE (Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment) is an integrated assessment model that simulates the environmental consequences of human activities worldwide. It represents interactions between society, the biosphere and the climate system to assess sustainability issues such as climate change, biodiversity and human well-being. The objective of the IMAGE model is to explore the long-term dynamics and impacts of global changes that result from interacting socio-economic and environmental factors. The model is often used to develop scenarios supporting environmental assessments and provide insights into the consequences of different response strategies. News on the IMAGE model is captured at the IMAGE website.

The IMAGE modelling framework has been developed since the 1980s. Originally, the model focused only on climate change, but the focus has shifted to other environmental and sustainable development issues over time. The IMAGE 3.3 version was released in 2022. IMAGE is documented on this website (including updates) and a previous version can be found in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 IMAGE 3.0 book.] In 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2021 IMAGE was reviewed by an international advisory board. The development strategy for the period 2022-2027 is elaborated in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-image-strategy-document-2022-2027 IMAGE strategy document.]

===Navigate the website ===
Below, we briefly indicate some of the information available on this website.
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website| A detailed description of the IMAGE model framework]]
* [[Key model improvements in the IMAGE 3.3 model| What is new in IMAGE 3.3]]
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website]]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/team IMAGE-team]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/publications IMAGE publications]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/projects Projects/applications overview]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-image-strategy-document-2022-2027 IMAGE strategy document]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 The IMAGE 3.0 book]

===Purpose and setup of this site===
* [[About this website, purpose and setup]]
</div>
[[Category:Generic]]

Welcome to IMAGE 3.3 Documentation

2024-04-22T09:55:52Z

Ioannis:

__NOTOC__ __NOEDITSECTION__<div class="page_standard">
[[File:Logo.png|left|link=|alt=IMAGE logo]]
IMAGE (Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment) is an integrated assessment model that simulates the environmental consequences of human activities worldwide. It represents interactions between society, the biosphere and the climate system to assess sustainability issues such as climate change, biodiversity and human well-being. The objective of the IMAGE model is to explore the long-term dynamics and impacts of global changes that result from interacting socio-economic and environmental factors. The model is often used to develop scenarios supporting environmental assessments and provide insights into the consequences of different response strategies. News on the IMAGE model is captured at the IMAGE website.

The IMAGE modelling framework has been developed since the 1980s. Originally, the model focused only on climate change, but the focus has shifted to other environmental and sustainable development issues over time. The IMAGE 3.3 version was released in 2022. IMAGE is documented on this website (including updates) and a previous version can be found in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 IMAGE 3.0 book]. In 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2021 IMAGE was reviewed by an international advisory board. The development strategy for the period 2022-2027 is elaborated in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-image-strategy-document-2022-2027 IMAGE strategy document.]

===Navigate the website ===
Below, we briefly indicate some of the information available on this website.
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website| A detailed description of the IMAGE model framework]]
* [[Key model improvements in the IMAGE 3.3 model| What is new in IMAGE 3.3]]
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website]]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/team IMAGE-team]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/publications IMAGE publications]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/projects Projects/applications overview]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-image-strategy-document-2022-2027 IMAGE strategy document]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 The IMAGE 3.0 book]

===Purpose and setup of this site===
* [[About this website, purpose and setup]]
</div>
[[Category:Generic]]

Welcome to IMAGE 3.3 Documentation

2024-04-10T11:20:26Z

Ioannis:

__NOTOC__ __NOEDITSECTION__<div class="page_standard">
[[File:Logo.png|left|link=|alt=IMAGE logo]]
IMAGE (Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment) is an integrated assessment model that simulates the environmental consequences of human activities worldwide. It represents interactions between society, the biosphere and the climate system to assess sustainability issues such as climate change, biodiversity and human well-being. The objective of the IMAGE model is to explore the long-term dynamics and impacts of global changes that result from interacting socio-economic and environmental factors. The model is often used to develop scenarios supporting environmental assessments and provide insights into the consequences of different response strategies. News on the IMAGE model is captured at the IMAGE website.

The IMAGE modelling framework has been developed since the 1980s. Originally, the model focused only on climate change, but the focus has shifted to other environmental and sustainable development issues over time. The IMAGE 3.3 version was released in 2022. IMAGE is documented on this website (including updates) and a previous version can be found in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 IMAGE 3.0 book]. In 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2021 IMAGE was reviewed by an international advisory board. The development strategy for the period 2022-2027 is elaborated in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-image-strategy-document-2022-2027 IMAGE strategy document].

===Navigate the website ===
Below, we briefly indicate some of the information available on this website.
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website| A detailed description of the IMAGE model framework]]
* [[Key model improvements in the IMAGE 3.3 model| What is new in IMAGE 3.3]]
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website]]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/team IMAGE-team]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/publications IMAGE publications]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/projects Projects/applications overview]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-image-strategy-document-2022-2027 IMAGE strategy document]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 The IMAGE 3.0 book]

===Purpose and setup of this site===
* [[About this website, purpose and setup]]
</div>
[[Category:Generic]]

Welcome to IMAGE 3.3 Documentation

2024-04-10T11:20:07Z

Ioannis:

__NOTOC__ __NOEDITSECTION__<div class="page_standard">
[[File:Logo.png|left|link=|alt=IMAGE logo]]
IMAGE (Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment) is an integrated assessment model that simulates the environmental consequences of human activities worldwide. It represents interactions between society, the biosphere and the climate system to assess sustainability issues such as climate change, biodiversity and human well-being. The objective of the IMAGE model is to explore the long-term dynamics and impacts of global changes that result from interacting socio-economic and environmental factors. The model is often used to develop scenarios supporting environmental assessments and provide insights into the consequences of different response strategies. News on the IMAGE model is captured at the IMAGE website.

The IMAGE modelling framework has been developed since the 1980s. Originally, the model focused only on climate change, but the focus has shifted to other environmental and sustainable development issues over time. The IMAGE 3.3 version was released in 2022. IMAGE is documented on this website (including updates) and a previous version can be found in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 IMAGE 3.0 book]. In 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2021 IMAGE was reviewed by an international advisory board. The development strategy for the period 2022-2027 is elaborated in the [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-image-strategy-document-2022-2027 IMAGE strategy document].

===Navigate the website ===
Below, we briefly indicate some of the information available on this website.
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website| A detailed description of the IMAGE model framework]]
* [[Key model improvements in the IMAGE 3.3 model| What is new in IMAGE 3.3]]
* [[Navigate the IMAGE 3.3 website]]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/team IMAGE-team]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/publications IMAGE publications]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/image/projects Projects/applications overview]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/image-strategy-document-2015-2020 IMAGE strategy document]
* [http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/integrated-assessment-of-global-environmental-change-with-IMAGE-3.0 The IMAGE 3.0 book]

===Purpose and setup of this site===
* [[About this website, purpose and setup]]
</div>
[[Category:Generic]]

Drivers/Model drivers

2024-03-20T16:57:40Z

Ioannis:

{{DriverPartTemplate
|PageLabel=Model drivers
|Sequence=3
|Reference=FAO, 2013a; Bruinsma, 2003; Alexandratos and Bruinsma, 2012; Bouwman et al., 2013b; Rohwer et al., 2007; Bouwman et al., 2005; Klein Goldewijk et al., 2010; Rogner, 1997; Mulders et al., 2006;
|Table=<h2>Table of drivers</h2>
}}<div class="page_standard">
<h2>Model drivers</h2>
The assumptions of direct model drivers are used in setting the parameter values in IMAGE 3.3. The start values are estimated from the literature and data, and future changes in values are inferred from the narratives and scenario drivers. The resulting parameter values are used as input for different parts of IMAGE 3.3. A list of the most important model drivers, their source and their use in the [[Framework overview]] is given in the table of drivers below.

===Example of a model driver: technological change in agriculture===
The management factor ({{AbbrTemplate|MF}}) describes the actual yield per crop group and region as a proportion of the maximum potential yield. This maximum potential yield is estimated taking into account inhomogeneous soil and climate data across grid cells. The MF for the period up to 2005 is estimated as part of the IMAGE calibration procedure, using FAO statistics on actual crop yields and crop areas ([[FAO, 2013a]]). The start year for the MF is subsequently taken as a point of departure for future projections.

Guidance for future development of yield changes is provided by expert projections, such as FAO projections up to 2030 and 2050 ([[Bruinsma, 2003]]; [[Alexandratos and Bruinsma, 2012]]).The FAO trends are used as exogenous technical development in the [[MAGNET model]], and subsequently adjusted to reflect the relative shortage of suitable land, as part of the model calculation (Component [[Agricultural economy]]). The combinations of production volumes and land areas from MAGNET are adopted as future MF projections into the future in IMAGE.

Future technological change is dependent on the storyline and needs to be consistent with other scenario drivers. For instance, strong economic growth is typically facilitated by rapid technology development and deployment, rising wages and a labour shift from primary production (agriculture) to secondary (industry) and tertiary (services) sectors. These developments foster more advanced management and technology in agriculture. In order to reflect different trends in exogenous yield increase, FAO trends are combined with projections of economic growth to develop scenario-specific trends of yield changes in multiple—baseline studies, like for the {{AbbrTemplate|SSP}}s. Because the MF is such a decisive factor in future net agricultural land area, careful consideration of uncertainties is warranted.

{{DriverTableTemplate}}
</div>

Intensification or extensification of livestock systems

2024-03-20T16:20:10Z

Ioannis:

{{PolicyInterventionTemplate
|Component=Livestock systems;
|Description=A change in the distribution of the production over pastoral and mixed systems; usually to a larger share of the production in mixed systems, which inherently changes the overall feed conversion ratios of ruminants.
|FoodThemeItem=Animal husbandry (Food)
}}
{{PolicyInterventionEffectTemplate
|EffectOnComponent=Agricultural economy
|EffectDescription=An intensification of livestock systems decreases the average area needed per animal (in land using livestock systems)
}}
{{PolicyInterventionEffectTemplate
|EffectOnComponent=Land-use allocation
|EffectDescription=An intensification of livestock systems decreases the average area needed per animal (in land using livestock systems)
}}
{{PolicyInterventionEffectTemplate
|EffectOnComponent=Nutrients
|EffectDescription=Generally leads to a reduction of overall emissions (e.g. CH<sub>4</sub>) and reduction of overall nutrient excretion; however, it will generally also lead to an increase of ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) emissions from manure storage and spreading of manure
}}

Land and biodiversity policies/Agricultural production system

2024-03-20T16:17:46Z

Ioannis:

{{PolicyResponsePartTemplate
|PageLabel=Agricultural production system
|Sequence=3
}}
<div class="page_standard">
<h2>Interventions targeting the agricultural production system</h2>
The agricultural production system concerns how animals are raised and crops are cultivated. The characteristics of a particular system, for example what inputs are required to produce one unit of product, define the environmental impacts. Various interventions may increase the efficiency of production systems, and thus lead to reductions in inputs or in environmental impacts.

Results of an efficiency increase in livestock management are presented in the PBL report The Protein Puzzle ([[PBL, 2011]]; [[Stehfest et al., 2013]]). Alternative cropping practices are summarised in Roads from Rio+20 ([[PBL, 2012]]). (see also [[The Protein Puzzle (2011) project]] and [[Roads from Rio+20 (2012) project]].

{{DisplayFigureLeftOptimalTemplate|Flowchart Land and biodiversity policies (B)}}
</div>

'''Carbon tax in agricultural production'''

Agricultural production produces greenhouse-gas emissions: Fertilization of crops and manure from livestock produce N<sub>2</sub>O emissions, and enteric fermentation from ruminants and production of rice in paddy fields results in CH<sub>4</sub> emissions. By placing a carbon tax on these emissions, similar to policy implemented in the [[Climate policy]] model, these emissions can be reduced in a cost-optimal way. This is implemented in the [[Agricultural economy]] model and results in substitution of consumption towards less emission-intensive products, additional intensification of agricultural production, and in reduced consumption leading to effects on food security. This policy is implemented in a model intercomparison study with IMAGE, GLOBIOM, CAPRI and MAGNET ([[Frank et al., 2018]]).
{{#default_form:PolicyResponsePartForm}}
{{PolicyInterventionSetTemplate
|Header=Improve livestock systems
|Description=Interventions to improve livestock systems could include use of breeds that have higher feed conversion rates, require another ratio of feed composites, or produce less manure. Changes in feed conversion or feed composition, for example the ratio of grazing to feed crop feeding, have an impact on demand for grazing and cropland. Thus, changes to these systems will lead to other environmental impacts and other patterns of agricultural land use. For instance, quantity and quality of manure produced affect nitrogen emission levels and thus also nutrient balances and climate change impacts. In addition, biodiversity is affected by nitrogen emissions. Interventions can also be directed to improving animal welfare, but in most cases, higher animal welfare standards require more input per unit of production ([[PBL, 2011]]). Storage and application of manure varies with livestock systems, and affects crop yields and emission levels. A secondary impact of increasing feed efficiencies could be cost reductions, leading to a similar feedback effect as described for changes in demand.

Two interrelated interventions in the cropping system are distinguished:
# improved cropping systems or varieties;
# increasing crop and grass yields or increasing cropping intensity (number of crops per year).
Management in agriculture is an interplay of the cultivar chosen, soil management, fertiliser and other inputs, and the choice and timing of each cultivation step. The first interventions focus on reducing often negative external effects other than land use, and the second intervention targets the use of as small land areas as possible.
|PISet=Change in grazing intensity; Changes in crop and livestock production systems; Changes in feed ration; Improved manure storage; Improvement of feed conversion; Increased livestock productivity; Integrated manure management; Intensification/extensification of livestock systems; Intensification or extensification of livestock systems
}}
{{PolicyInterventionSetTemplate
|Header=Improve cropping systems or varieties
|Description=Improved cropping systems or varieties could increase the use efficiency of inputs including water and nutrients. Inputs fine-tuned to crop requirements would lead to less nitrogen emissions or less water use per tonne of crop and, would reduce the impacts on biodiversity and climate. While improved management could also lead to higher yields (see below), improved systems could mean a shift in inputs, such as labour, capital, land, fertiliser and water. This may alter the cost price of agricultural products, market prices and consumption.
|PISet=Changes in crop and livestock production systems
}}
{{PolicyInterventionSetTemplate
|Header=Crops and grass yields
|Description=Yields can be increased with other varieties, for example, to increase the potential yield, or with improved management (thus, close the yield gap). However, other, more suitable crop varieties often also need different types of management in order to produce higher yields.
|PISet=Changes in crop and livestock production systems; Improved irrigation efficiency; Improved rainwater management; Integrated manure management
}}
{{PolicyInterventionSetTemplate
|Header=Cropping intensity
|Description=The cropping intensity can be increased by multiple cropping (more harvests per year) depending on climatic conditions, or by decreasing the area left fallow. Both interventions would decrease the required production area for all crops but could also increase the environmental impacts per hectare of crops. Where lower area requirements decrease biodiversity and climate impacts, the environmental impacts per hectare could increase them again. Thus, to decrease biodiversity loss, yield increases need to go hand in hand with system changes to reduce external impacts. Increased cropping intensity increases the risk of soil degradation without adaptation of cropping rotations or soil management.
|PISet=Changes in crop and livestock production systems
}}
{{PolicyInterventionSetTemplate
|Header=Carbon tax in agricultural production
|Description=Agricultural production produces greenhouse-gas emissions: Fertilization of crops and manure from livestock produce N2O emissions, and enteric fermentation from ruminants and production of rice in paddy fields results in CH4 emissions. By placing a carbon tax on these emissions, similar to policy implemented in the [[Climate policy]] model, these emissions can be reduced in a cost-optimal way. This is implemented in the [[Agricultural economy]] model and results in substitution of consumption towards less emission-intensive products, additional intensification of agricultural production, and in reduced consumption leading to effects on food security. This policy is implemented in a model intercomparison study with IMAGE, GLOBIOM, CAPRI and MAGNET ([[Frank et al., 2018]]).
|PISet=Changes in crop and livestock production systems
}}
{{ContentPartsTemplate}}

Intensification or extensification of livestock systems

2024-03-20T16:12:16Z

Ioannis: Created page with "{{PolicyInterventionTemplate |Component=Livestock systems |Description=A change in the distribution of the production over pastoral and mixed systems; usually to a larger share of the production in mixed systems, which inherently changes the overall feed conversion ratios of ruminants. |FoodThemeItem=Animal husbandry (Food) }} {{PolicyInterventionEffectTemplate |EffectOnComponent=Agricultural economy |EffectDescription=An intensification of livestock systems decreases th..."

{{PolicyInterventionTemplate
|Component=Livestock systems
|Description=A change in the distribution of the production over pastoral and mixed systems; usually to a larger share of the production in mixed systems, which inherently changes the overall feed conversion ratios of ruminants.
|FoodThemeItem=Animal husbandry (Food)
}}
{{PolicyInterventionEffectTemplate
|EffectOnComponent=Agricultural economy
|EffectDescription=An intensification of livestock systems decreases the average area needed per animal (in land using livestock systems)
}}
{{PolicyInterventionEffectTemplate
|EffectOnComponent=Land-use allocation
|EffectDescription=An intensification of livestock systems decreases the average area needed per animal (in land using livestock systems)
}}
{{PolicyInterventionEffectTemplate
|EffectOnComponent=Nutrients
|EffectDescription=Generally leads to a reduction of overall emissions (e.g. CH<sub>4</sub>) and reduction of overall nutrient excretion; however, it will generally also lead to an increase of ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) emissions from manure storage and spreading of manure
}}

Carbon, vegetation, agriculture and water

2024-03-20T09:26:05Z

Ioannis:

{{AggregatedComponentTemplate
|ComponentCode=VHA
|KeyReference=Sitch et al., 2003;Gerten et al., 2004;Bondeau et al., 2007
|FrameworkElementType=state component
}}
<div class="page_standard">

[[LPJmL model|LPJmL]] is the carbon, vegetation, agricultural and hydrology model in IMAGE 3.2 and consists of the three components: [[Carbon cycle and natural vegetation]], [[Crops and grass]], [[Water]].

Within the Earth system, the terrestrial biosphere is the component that bears the most visible impact of human activity. Large proportions of the land surface and the terrestrial vegetation have been converted for human use, for instance, to cropland and urban areas.

Agriculture, terrestrial carbon, water and nutrient cycles were separate modules in previous versions of IMAGE and thus interactions were not adequately covered. IMAGE 3.2 covers natural and agricultural terrestrial ecosystems, and associated carbon and water dynamics via the link with the dynamic global vegetation, agriculture and water balance model [[LPJmL model|LPJmL]] (Lund-Potsdam-Jena model with managed Land; [[Sitch et al., 2003]]; [[Gerten et al., 2004]]; [[Bondeau et al., 2007]]; [[Schaphoff et al., 2018a]]; [[Schaphoff et al., 2018b]]). This enables more detailed and process-based representation of the interacting dynamics in vegetation, carbon and agricultural production, and extends the model scope to terrestrial freshwater dynamics.

LPJmL is one of the most extensively evaluated dynamic global vegetation models ({{abbrTemplate|DGVM}}) and is widely applied either stand alone or linked to other models. To show the complex dynamics in the terrestrial biosphere and to reflect the historical IMAGE modules, LPJmL is described in three components: [[Carbon cycle and natural vegetation|carbon cycle and vegetation]]; [[Crops and grass|agricultural land use]]; and [[Water|terrestrial freshwater flows]].

IMAGE 3.2 and LPJmL are linked through an interface that enables close and consistent interaction between the two models in annual time steps ([[Müller et al., 2016a]]). An even more direct link to simulate detailed land-atmosphere interaction would require higher temporal resolutions also in other IMAGE components (e.g., the climate model), which is not necessarily congruent with the philosophy of an integrated assessment model. Incorporating nutrient cycles and improving representations of grassland management in LPJmL will require further adjustments to other IMAGE 3.2 components, and will increase consistency.

The dynamic coupling between IMAGE and LPJmL makes it the standard approach to always take impacts of a changing climate into account: most importantly the effects on crop yields, natural vegetation and water dynamics from changes in temperature, precipitation and CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations. The CO<sub>2</sub> fertilisation effect on crop yields in LPJml is found to be relatively optimistic compared to other crop models, partly because other processes negatively affect yields such as nutrient limitations, and the effects of drought and extreme weather events are not accounted for ([[Toreti et al., 2020]]). Therefore, IMAGE assumes a 50% efficacy of the default CO<sub>2</sub> fertilisation in LPJmL.
</div>

Policy responses

2024-03-20T09:25:44Z

Ioannis:

{{AggregatedComponentTemplate
|ComponentCode=PR
|FrameworkElementType=response component
}}<div class="page_standard">

The IMAGE model can be used to analyse a range of policy measures. The most important policy domains covered by IMAGE are climate policy, energy policy, and land and biodiversity policies. For these key domains, the Policy responses parts discuss the type of policies and measures that can be analysed and how policy responses impact different parts of the IMAGE model. Clearly, the IMAGE framework can also be used to analyse other policy domains, such as human development, nutrients balances or water scarcity. For these topics, information on policy responses can be found in the relevant sections. Finally, it should be noted that for climate policy the IMAGE framework uses a separate model called FAIR (Component [[Climate policy]]), while for Energy policy (Component [[Air pollution and energy policies]]) and for Land and biodiversity policies (Component [[Land and biodiversity policies]]), the relevant policy interventions are implemented in various IMAGE components.
</div>