1. General Model Information
Name: Modified Budyko Global Vegetation Model
Acronym: GVM
Main medium: terrestrial
Main subject: biogeochemistry
Organization level: ecosphere
Type of model: not specified
Main application:
Keywords: crop, biomes, dryness indices, evaporation, evapotranspiration, climate, climate change
Contact:
Robert A. Monserud
Forestry Sciences Lab
1221 S. Main Street Moscow, ID 83843
USA
Phone: 208-883-2327
Fax: 208-883-2318
email: monserud@forest.moscowfsl.wsu.edu
Author(s):
Nadji Tchebakova, Bob Monserud and Rik Leemans
Abstract:
This Global Vegetation Model (GVM) predicts the geographic extent of biomes
based on climate inputs from GCMs. The model is static and is developed for a
coarse resolution (0.5deg. x 0.5deg.). The model was
developed by Nadji Tchebakova, Bob Monserud (USDA-FS) and Rik Leemans. The
model requires the IIASA global climate database as input.
Biomes are determined from sub-models which calculate dryness indices and
potential evaporation using radiation balance equations. This model is based
on an earlier model developed by Budyko which predicts vegetation patterns
based on a radiation balance and dryness index.
Author of the abstract:
CIESIN (CONSORTIUM FOR
INTERNATIONAL EARTH SCIENCE INFORMATION NETWORK):
II. Technical Information
II.1 Executables:
Operating System(s): UNIX
II.2 Source-code:
Programming Language(s): FORTRAN 77
II.3 Manuals:
II.4 Data:
III. Mathematical Information
III.1 Mathematics
III.2 Quantities
Global climate database on 0.5 deg. X 0.5 deg. grid: Monthly
III.2.1 Input
Global climate database on 0.5 deg. X 0.5 deg. grid: Monthlyobservations of temperature, precipitation, cloudiness, vapor pressure (humidity), and albedo.
Model Input Data Source: IIASA Global climate database, and revised version from WolfgangCramer and Rik Leemans. Vegetation class (biome) for each 0.5 deg X 0.5 deg. pixel. (62,400
III.2.2 Output
Vegetation class (biome) for each 0.5 deg X 0.5 deg. pixel. (62,400terrestrial pixels)
Temporal Scale: Equilibrium model (static)
Spatial Scale: Global with .5 deg. X .5 deg. resolution. Resolution can be finer if climatic inputresolution is finer.Vegetation class (biome) for each 0.5 deg X 0.5 deg. pixel. (62,400terrestrial pixels)
IV. References
1993 J. Biogeography (August issue) 20: 129-144.
1993 Climatic Change(August issue) 25: 59-83.
V. Further information in the World-Wide-Web
VI. Additional remarks
This model has been used to study the possible effects of the doubling ofatmospheric CO2 on the distribution of the earth's biomes. This model showedthat similar types of biome shifts are predicted when the GFDL, GISS and OSUglobal climate models (GCMs) are used. The UKMO GCM, on the other hand,predicted slightly different biome patterns because it predicts warmer climatesin the future than the other three GCMs used.
In addition, this model predicted that the boreal and temperate zones will undergo the largest shifts in location and that the desert and ice/polar deserts which be the most stable in the future. The developers of this modelhave also compared existing vegetation patterns with that of the predicted patterns using a Kappa statistic of vegetation classes per pixel.
Source : CIESIN Report
Last review of this document by: T. Gabele: 10. 07. 1997 -
Status of the document:
last modified by
Tobias Gabele Wed Aug 21 21:44:44 CEST 2002