Additional Modeling and a Synthesis of Ecosystem Process Model Performance Comparisons
Abstract
Land managers of forested landscapes face increased difficulty in projecting how various management techniques impact ecological processes, such as carbon sequestration potential. Given the large use of prescribed fire on DoD lands, there is a need to assess landscape carbon flux in response to different fire frequencies and management regimes. Ecosystem process models provide a robust solution to informing management decisions. in an uncertain future. Model selection depends on the geographic location of interest, the overall goals and objectives of management, and the inherent biotic and abiotic disturbances that affect ecosystem dynamics (e.g., vegetation response and interactions with climate and climate-driven disturbances). Our project objectives were to 1) provide data and technical support to the ESTCP board and project performers throughout the inter-model comparison projects (Topic 5, FY17) and 2) perform an inter-model comparison at one designated performance site using different model classes to assess the impacts of fire regimes on landscape carbon projections. We synthesized two forested data rich study sites (Jones Center at Ichauway in southern GA and Harvard Forest in MA) and provided them to ESTCP and the other chosen ESTCP teams, while continuing to support those teams and ESTCP. These long-term datasets included information on soil, vegetation, biomass, carbon flux, management. We also calibrated a landscape class, the Landscape Disturbance and Succession II (LANDIS-II) model, and a global class, the Ecosystem Demography (ED) model for the Jones Center at Ichauway. We assessed the strengths and weaknesses of each model including validating for Net Ecosystem Exchange with eddy covariance flux tower data. The models are now available for any additional scenarios involving southeastern U.S. pinelands.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1189882
Entities
People
- Christie Hawley
- E. L. Loudermilk
- Joseph J. O'Brien
- Mac A. Jr Callaham
- Scott L. Goodrick
- Steven A. Flanagan
Organizations
- United States Forest Service