Satellite data, ecosystem models and site data: contributions of the IGBP flux network to carbon cycle science

1. Satellite data, ecosystem models and site data: contributions of the IGBP flux network to carbon cycle science Or, what networks can and cannot do David Schimel, Galina Churkina, Eva Falge, Rob Braswell, James Trembath, [schimel@ucar.edu]

2. Net Ecosystem Exchange A very difficult modeling problem Average NPPs are 3000-6000 kg ha NEEs are 0-1700 kg ha The NEE signal is typically <20% of NPP (or respiration) The uncertainties of NPP and NEE data are 25-50% of the mean, typically. Biases are common. Model biases in NPP and respiration that are too small to correct using typical measurements can cause significant biases in modeled NEE

3. The small difference between two large fluxes (NEE = <1 - 20% of NPP) NBP/NPP 5% Russian Forests 10% Russian Wetlands 16% Russian Grass/Shrublands 25% in EU CANIF sites ~1% in natural conditions NEE = GPP - Ra - Rh

4. Carbon Uptake Period: the number of days on which NEE is negative (flux from atmosphere to ecosystem)

5. CUP from NDVI NEE from flux data + ENF *DBF grass crop Growing season length appears to be a robust predictor of Eddy Flux NEE CUP from flux data CUP from flux data A Global Scaling Exercise(from the Department of Irresponsible Extrapolation)

7. D.I.E. Forest NEE extrapolated from CUP Using: forest type map, separate regressions for broad and needle leafed forests and a satellite-based CUP, all aggregated to 0.5o.

8. D.I.E. Extrapolated Forest Sector NEE (High bias) North America 1.9 Gt/y Eurasia 1.6 Gt/y Why? Mean Forest CUP Fraction deciduous (days ) (%) North America 180 26 Eurasia 210 22 CUP and “broadleaf-ness” are spatially correlated

9. Where do we go from here? The network is dominated by sites with large positive NEE: are we observing a representative sample? If so, what does this mean? Specifically: The flux network is biased towards aggrading stands 40-100 years old The eddy flux measurements may have a high bias because of unfavorable measurement conditions at night. Larch covers much of Siberia, does it follow either regression???

10. Observed NEE NDVI Growing season length has similar interannual variability Direct and Remote Measurements

11. gC/m2/day Most of the systematic error occurs in the beginning and the end of growing season gC/m2/day Modeled and Observed NEE

12. D.I.E. Space for time problems Global regression suggests an average ~3 g m2 CUP day Time-series suggest ~0.6 g m2 CUP day

13. “Space for process” problems: Century simulated global respiration vs To and the To response function: what networks cannot do No matter how well you sample, the To partial derivative can’t be estimated from the spatial pattern

14. Space for time

15. Implications for network design: Time-series of forcing and response are needed to understand process: spatial patterns cannot substitute. Systematic sampling of ecosystem states within CUP ranges, e.g., management intensity, age, nutrient status is crucial Ground measurements to link satellite and ground-based measurements, e.g., canopy optical properties, sun photometer, navigation aids, airborne time series data, are needed for extrapolation Process-level focus on seasonal transitions, e.g., spring and fall focus on plant and soil measurements, snow cover, are crucial

16. The experimental networks of the IGBP are a unique feature of the program and distinguish it from modeling and synthetic efforts such as the IPCC and Millennium Assessment The planned restructuring of the IGBP must strengthen the role of experimental networks, and increase their interaction with synthesis and modeling efforts! A major criteria for any new structure for the IGBP: will it strengthen the networks?