Carbon cycle and natural vegetation/Description: Difference between revisions

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{{ComponentDescriptionTemplate
{{ComponentDescriptionTemplate
|Description===Vegetation types==
|Description===Vegetation types==
The Natural vegetation and carbon cycle model is implemented by using [[LPJmL model]]. This is a Dynamic Global Vegetation Model ([[hasAcronym::DGVM]]), initially developed to assess the role of the terrestrial biosphere in the global carbon cycle (Prentice et al., 2007). DGVMs simulate vegetation distribution and dynamics, using the concept of multiple plant functional types ([[hasAcronym::PFT]]s) that are differentiated according to their bioclimatic (e.g. temperature requirement), physiological, morphological, and phenological (e.g. growing season) attributes, and that compete for resources (i.e. light and water). In order to aggregate the vast diversity of plant species in the world, with respect to the most important differences for the carbon cycle, Natural vegetation and carbon cycle model distinguishes [[Plant functional types|nine PFTs]]. Plant dynamics are computed for each PFT present in a grid cell. Since IMAGE uses the concept of biomes (see the [[Land cover types|Natural vegetation types]], combinations of PFTs in an area/grid cell are translated into a certain biome type (see figure on the right: Biome classification). In the IMAGE framework there is one modification to LPJml, namely the biome ‘ice’,  for biomes initially defined as ‘arctic tundra’, and with an  average annual temperature of < -2 oC and an annual net primary production (NPP) of < 1 Pg.yr-1 (Appendix, Figure 6.1.2). All carbon pools and fluxes in this biome are set to zero.
The Natural vegetation and carbon cycle model is implemented by using [[LPJmL model]]. This is a Dynamic Global Vegetation Model ([[hasAcronym::DGVM]]), initially developed to assess the role of the terrestrial biosphere in the global carbon cycle (Prentice et al., 2007). DGVMs simulate vegetation distribution and dynamics, using the concept of multiple plant functional types ([[hasAcronym::PFT]]s) that are differentiated according to their bioclimatic (e.g. temperature requirement), physiological, morphological, and phenological (e.g. growing season) attributes, and that compete for resources (i.e. light and water). In order to aggregate the vast diversity of plant species in the world, with respect to the most important differences for the carbon cycle, Natural vegetation and carbon cycle model distinguishes [[Plant functional types|nine PFTs]]. Plant dynamics are computed for each PFT present in a grid cell. Since IMAGE uses the concept of biomes (see the [[Land cover types|Natural vegetation types]]), combinations of PFTs in an area/grid cell are translated into a certain biome type (see figure on the right: Biome classification). In the IMAGE framework there is one modification to LPJml, namely the biome ‘ice’,  for biomes initially defined as ‘arctic tundra’, and with an  average annual temperature of < -2 oC and an annual net primary production (NPP) of < 1 Pg.yr-1. All carbon pools and fluxes in this biome are set to zero.
{{FigureRightTemplate|Biome classification flowchart NVCC‎}}
{{FigureRightTemplate|Biome classification flowchart NVCC‎}}
==Carbon dynamics==
==Carbon dynamics==
IMAGE-LPJmL covers the carbon cycle processes, described in the first section, and tracks all carbon fluxes between the atmosphere and the biosphere. Carbon-cycle dynamics of the terrestrial biosphere are computed as the carbon uptake and release in plants (photosynthesis, autotrophic respiration), transfer of plant carbon to the soil (shedding of leaves, turnover, mortality of plants) and the mineralisation of soil organic matter (heterotrophic respiration; see Figure 6.1.1). Because the photosynthesis, autotrophic respiration and mineralisation of soil organic matter strongly depend on weather conditions, these processes are computed in time steps of one day. The composition of natural vegetation is dependent on slower processes, such as the interannual and interseasonal variability of weather conditions and disturbance incidences, such as natural fires. Therefore, vegetation dynamics, including competition between plant functional types, mortality, turnover, and fire disturbances are computed in time steps of one year. Allocation of newly established biomass is computed in time steps of one year for perennial plants (natural grasses, trees) and in time steps of one day for annual plants (crops). Allocation to plant organs (represented by a carbon pool for each) distinguishes up to four living plant carbon pools, depending on plant type. For grasses, the model distinguishes carbon pools of leaves and roots only, and for trees, there are two additional woody carbon pools (hardwood and sapwood), whereas for agricultural crops, the pools are categorised as leaves, roots, storage organs, stems, and a mobile reserve pool. For the simulation of the different mineralisation rates of soil organic carbon, three soil carbon pools are distinguished in the model: one for litter and two for soil organic matter of fast (10 years) and slow (100 years) mineralisation rates. Harvested agricultural products (crops, grass, biofuels) are assumed to be consumed or combusted with the related CO2 emitted to the atmosphere within the same year. Residues are either left on the fields to enter the litter pool or are removed to subsequently decompose (scenario setting). During wood harvesting, certain fraction of the plant pools are cut-down and harvested, as determined in the forest management model (Section 4.2.2), the waste is left behind to enter the soil litter pool as dead biomass. Wood products are distinguished into three classes, in order to account for their various lifespans: pulp and paper have fast turnover rates; timber products, such as furniture, have longer turnover rates (Lauk et al., 2012); and traditional biomass that is used as an energy source and emitted within the same year. All land-use dynamics, including the expansion or abandonment of pastures, cropland and bio-energy plantations, as well as wood harvested from natural vegetation are determined annually by the IMAGE land-use module (Section 4.2).
IMAGE-LPJmL covers the carbon cycle processes, described in the first section, and tracks all carbon fluxes between the atmosphere and the biosphere. Carbon-cycle dynamics of the terrestrial biosphere are computed as the carbon uptake and release in plants (photosynthesis, autotrophic respiration), transfer of plant carbon to the soil (shedding of leaves, turnover, mortality of plants) and the mineralisation of soil organic matter (heterotrophic respiration; see Figure 6.1.1). Because the photosynthesis, autotrophic respiration and mineralisation of soil organic matter strongly depend on weather conditions, these processes are computed in time steps of one day. The composition of natural vegetation is dependent on slower processes, such as the interannual and interseasonal variability of weather conditions and disturbance incidences, such as natural fires. Therefore, vegetation dynamics, including competition between plant functional types, mortality, turnover, and fire disturbances are computed in time steps of one year. Allocation of newly established biomass is computed in time steps of one year for perennial plants (natural grasses, trees) and in time steps of one day for annual plants (crops). Allocation to plant organs (represented by a carbon pool for each) distinguishes up to four living plant carbon pools, depending on plant type. For grasses, the model distinguishes carbon pools of leaves and roots only, and for trees, there are two additional woody carbon pools (hardwood and sapwood), whereas for agricultural crops, the pools are categorised as leaves, roots, storage organs, stems, and a mobile reserve pool. For the simulation of the different mineralisation rates of soil organic carbon, three soil carbon pools are distinguished in the model: one for litter and two for soil organic matter of fast (10 years) and slow (100 years) mineralisation rates. Harvested agricultural products (crops, grass, biofuels) are assumed to be consumed or combusted with the related CO2 emitted to the atmosphere within the same year. Residues are either left on the fields to enter the litter pool or are removed to subsequently decompose (scenario setting). During wood harvesting, certain fraction of the plant pools are cut-down and harvested, as determined in the forest management model (Section 4.2.2), the waste is left behind to enter the soil litter pool as dead biomass. Wood products are distinguished into three classes, in order to account for their various lifespans: pulp and paper have fast turnover rates; timber products, such as furniture, have longer turnover rates (Lauk et al., 2012); and traditional biomass that is used as an energy source and emitted within the same year. All land-use dynamics, including the expansion or abandonment of pastures, cropland and bio-energy plantations, as well as wood harvested from natural vegetation are determined annually by the IMAGE land-use module (Section 4.2).

Revision as of 11:54, 7 January 2014

Carbon cycle and natural vegetation module of LPJmL, in IMAGE 3.0
Flowchart Carbon cycle and natural vegetation. See also the Input/Output Table on the introduction page.

Model description of Carbon cycle and natural vegetation