Keywords
c-lamp, model verification, model intercomparison, carbon cycle, terrestrial biogeochemistry
Start Date
1-7-2008 12:00 AM
Abstract
Described here is a protocol and accompanying metrics for evaluation of scientificmodel performance of global terrestrial biogeochemistry models. Developed under the guise ofthe NCAR Community Climate System Model (CCSM) Biogeochemistry Working Group, theCarbon-Land Model Intercomparison Project (C-LAMP) experimental protocol improves and expandsupon the Coupled Carbon Cycle-Climate Model Intercomparison Project (C4MIP) Phase1 protocol. However, unlike traditional model intercomparisons, C-LAMP has established scientificmodel performance metrics based upon comparison against best-available satellite- andground-based measurements. Moreover, C-LAMP has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy’sProgram for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison (PCMDI) to collect, archive,and distribute—via the Earth System Grid (ESG)—model results from C-LAMP experiments performedby international modeling groups in the same fashion as was done for the model resultsused in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4).In addition, because future IPCC Assessment Reports are expected to be based on results fromintegrated Earth System Models (ESMs), C-LAMP is helping to establish the metadata standardsfor model output from terrestrial biogeochemistry components of ESMs. Proposed as an extensionto the netCDF Climate and Forecast (CF) 1.1 Convention, these metadata standards will facilitatefuture model-model and model-measurement intercomparisons. A prototype diagnostics tool hasbeen developed for C-LAMP that summarizes model results, produce graphical representationsof these results as compared with observational data sets, and score models on their scientificperformance.
The Carbon-Land Model Intercomparison Project (C-LAMP): A Protocol and Evaluation Metrics for Global Terrestrial Biogeochemistry Models
Described here is a protocol and accompanying metrics for evaluation of scientificmodel performance of global terrestrial biogeochemistry models. Developed under the guise ofthe NCAR Community Climate System Model (CCSM) Biogeochemistry Working Group, theCarbon-Land Model Intercomparison Project (C-LAMP) experimental protocol improves and expandsupon the Coupled Carbon Cycle-Climate Model Intercomparison Project (C4MIP) Phase1 protocol. However, unlike traditional model intercomparisons, C-LAMP has established scientificmodel performance metrics based upon comparison against best-available satellite- andground-based measurements. Moreover, C-LAMP has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy’sProgram for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison (PCMDI) to collect, archive,and distribute—via the Earth System Grid (ESG)—model results from C-LAMP experiments performedby international modeling groups in the same fashion as was done for the model resultsused in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4).In addition, because future IPCC Assessment Reports are expected to be based on results fromintegrated Earth System Models (ESMs), C-LAMP is helping to establish the metadata standardsfor model output from terrestrial biogeochemistry components of ESMs. Proposed as an extensionto the netCDF Climate and Forecast (CF) 1.1 Convention, these metadata standards will facilitatefuture model-model and model-measurement intercomparisons. A prototype diagnostics tool hasbeen developed for C-LAMP that summarizes model results, produce graphical representationsof these results as compared with observational data sets, and score models on their scientificperformance.
