DYPTOP: a cost-efficient TOPMODEL implementation to simulate sub-grid spatio-temporal dynamics of global wetlands and peatlands
Simulating the spatio-temporal dynamics of inundation is key to understanding the role of wetlands under past and future climate change. Earlier modelling studies have mostly relied on fixed prescribed peatland maps and inundation time series of limited temporal coverage. Here, we describe a...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2014-12-01
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| Series: | Geoscientific Model Development |
| Online Access: | http://www.geosci-model-dev.net/7/3089/2014/gmd-7-3089-2014.pdf |
| Summary: | Simulating the spatio-temporal dynamics of inundation is key to
understanding the role of wetlands under past and future climate
change. Earlier modelling studies have mostly relied on fixed
prescribed peatland maps and inundation time series of limited
temporal coverage. Here, we describe and assess the the Dynamical Peatland Model Based on
TOPMODEL (DYPTOP), which predicts the extent of inundation based on a computationally
efficient TOPMODEL implementation. This approach rests on an
empirical, grid-cell-specific relationship between the mean soil
water balance and the flooded area. DYPTOP combines the simulated
inundation extent and its temporal persistency with criteria for the
ecosystem water balance and the modelled peatland-specific soil
carbon balance to predict the global distribution of
peatlands. We apply DYPTOP in combination with the LPX-Bern
DGVM and benchmark the global-scale distribution, extent, and
seasonality of inundation against satellite data. DYPTOP
successfully predicts the spatial distribution and extent of
wetlands and major boreal and tropical peatland complexes and
reveals the governing limitations to peatland occurrence across the
globe. Peatlands covering large boreal lowlands are reproduced only
when accounting for a positive feedback induced by the enhanced mean
soil water holding capacity in peatland-dominated regions. DYPTOP is
designed to minimize input data requirements, optimizes
computational efficiency and allows for a modular adoption in Earth
system models. |
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| ISSN: | 1991-959X 1991-9603 |