Open AccessSimulating Springtime Temperature Patterns in the Community Atmosphere Model Coupled to the Community Land Model Using Prognostic Leaf Area
Author(s) -
Samuel Levis,
Gordon B. Bonan
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of climate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.315
H-Index - 287
eISSN - 1520-0442
pISSN - 0894-8755
DOI - 10.1175/3218.1
Subject(s) - transpiration , environmental science , atmosphere (unit) , evapotranspiration , stomatal conductance , photosynthesis , atmospheric sciences , climatology , vegetation (pathology) , climate model , climate change , ecology , botany , meteorology , geography , biology , geology , medicine , pathology
Observations show that emergence of foliage in springtime slows surface air temperature warming as a result of greater transpiration. Model simulations with the Community Atmosphere Model coupled to the Community Land Model confirm that evapotranspiration contributes to this pattern and that this pattern occurs more reliably with prognostic leaf area as opposed to prescribed leaf area. With prescribed leaf area, leaves emerge independent of prevailing environmental conditions, which may preclude photosynthesis from occurring. In contrast, prognostic leaf area ensures that leaves emerge when conditions are favorable for photosynthesis, and thus transpiration. These results reveal a dynamic coupling between the atmosphere and vegetation in which the observed reduction in the springtime warming trend only occurs when photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and leaf emergence are synchronized with the surface climate.