Geoscientific Model Development Discussions, Mar 2015
Abstract
This paper describes the validation of the SimSphere SVAT model conducted at different ... more Abstract
This paper describes the validation of the SimSphere SVAT model conducted at different ecosystem types in the USA and Australia. Specific focus was given to examining the models’ ability in predicting Shortwave Incoming Solar Radiation (Rg), Net Radiation (Rnet), Latent Heat (LE), Sensible Heat (H), Air Temperature at 1.3m (Tair 1.3m) and Air Temperature at 50m (Tair 50m). Model predictions were compared against corresponding in situ measurements acquired for a total of 72 selected days of the year 2011 obtained from 8 sites belonging to the AmeriFlux (USA) and OzFlux (Australia) monitoring networks. Selected sites were representative of a variety of environmental, biome and climatic conditions, to allow for the inclusion of contrasting conditions in the model evaluation.
The application of the model confirmed its high capability in representing the multifarious and complex interactions of the Earth system. Comparisons showed a good agreement
between modelled and measured fluxes, especially for the days with smoothed daily flux trends. A good to excellent agreement between the model predictions and the in situ measurements was reported, particularly so for the LE, H, Tair 1.3m and Tair 50m parameters (RMSD= 39.47, 55.06Wm2, 3.23, 3.77 C respectively). A systematic underestimation of Rg and Rnet (RMSD=67.83, 58.69Wm2, MBE= 67.83, 58.69Wm2 respectively) was also found. Highest simulation accuracies were obtained for the open woodland savannah and mulga woodland sites for most of the compared parameters. Very high values of the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency index were also reported for all parameters ranging from 0.720 to 0.998, suggesting a very good model representation of the observations.
To our knowledge, this study presents the first comprehensive validation of SimSphere, particularly so in USA and Australian ecosystem types. Findings are important and timely, given the rapidly expanding use of this model worldwide both as an educational and research tool. This includes ongoing research by different Space Agencies examining its synergistic use with Earth Observation data towards the development of global operational products.
Abstract
In this present study the ability of the SimSphere Soil Vegetation Atmosphere Transfer ... more Abstract
In this present study the ability of the SimSphere Soil Vegetation Atmosphere Transfer (SVAT) model in estimating key parameters characterising land surface interactions was evaluated. Specifically, SimSphere’s performance in predicting Net Radiation (Rnet), Latent Heat (LE), 5 Sensible Heat (H) and Air Temperature (Tair) at 1.3 and 50m was examined. Model simulations were validated by ground-based measurements of
the corresponding parameters for a total of 70 days of the year 2011 from 7 CarboEurope network sites. These included a variety of biomes, environmental and climatic conditions in the models evaluation.Overall, model performance can largely be described as satisfactory for most of the experimental sites and evaluated parameters. For all model parameters compared,
predicted H fluxes consistently obtained the highest agreement to the in-situ data in all ecosystems, with an average RMSD of 55.36Wm2. LE fluxes and Rnet also agreed well with the in-situ data with RSMDs of 62.75 and 64.65Wm2 respectively. A good
15 agreement between modelled and measured LE and H fluxes was found, especially for smoothed daily flux trends. For both Tair 1.3m and Tair 50m a mean RMSD of 4.14 and 3.54 C was reported respectively. This work presents the first all-inclusive evaluation of SimSphere, particularly so in
a European setting. Results of this study contribute decisively towards obtaining a better understanding of the model’s structure and its correspondence to the real world system. Findings also further establish the model’s capability as a useful teaching and research tool in modelling Earth’s land surface interactions. This is of considerable importance in the light of the rapidly expanding use of the model worldwide, including
ongoing research by various Space Agencies examining its synergistic use with Earth Observation data towards the development of operational products at a global scale.
Geoscientific Model Development Discussions, Mar 2015
Abstract
This paper describes the validation of the SimSphere SVAT model conducted at different ... more Abstract
This paper describes the validation of the SimSphere SVAT model conducted at different ecosystem types in the USA and Australia. Specific focus was given to examining the models’ ability in predicting Shortwave Incoming Solar Radiation (Rg), Net Radiation (Rnet), Latent Heat (LE), Sensible Heat (H), Air Temperature at 1.3m (Tair 1.3m) and Air Temperature at 50m (Tair 50m). Model predictions were compared against corresponding in situ measurements acquired for a total of 72 selected days of the year 2011 obtained from 8 sites belonging to the AmeriFlux (USA) and OzFlux (Australia) monitoring networks. Selected sites were representative of a variety of environmental, biome and climatic conditions, to allow for the inclusion of contrasting conditions in the model evaluation.
The application of the model confirmed its high capability in representing the multifarious and complex interactions of the Earth system. Comparisons showed a good agreement
between modelled and measured fluxes, especially for the days with smoothed daily flux trends. A good to excellent agreement between the model predictions and the in situ measurements was reported, particularly so for the LE, H, Tair 1.3m and Tair 50m parameters (RMSD= 39.47, 55.06Wm2, 3.23, 3.77 C respectively). A systematic underestimation of Rg and Rnet (RMSD=67.83, 58.69Wm2, MBE= 67.83, 58.69Wm2 respectively) was also found. Highest simulation accuracies were obtained for the open woodland savannah and mulga woodland sites for most of the compared parameters. Very high values of the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency index were also reported for all parameters ranging from 0.720 to 0.998, suggesting a very good model representation of the observations.
To our knowledge, this study presents the first comprehensive validation of SimSphere, particularly so in USA and Australian ecosystem types. Findings are important and timely, given the rapidly expanding use of this model worldwide both as an educational and research tool. This includes ongoing research by different Space Agencies examining its synergistic use with Earth Observation data towards the development of global operational products.
Abstract
In this present study the ability of the SimSphere Soil Vegetation Atmosphere Transfer ... more Abstract
In this present study the ability of the SimSphere Soil Vegetation Atmosphere Transfer (SVAT) model in estimating key parameters characterising land surface interactions was evaluated. Specifically, SimSphere’s performance in predicting Net Radiation (Rnet), Latent Heat (LE), 5 Sensible Heat (H) and Air Temperature (Tair) at 1.3 and 50m was examined. Model simulations were validated by ground-based measurements of
the corresponding parameters for a total of 70 days of the year 2011 from 7 CarboEurope network sites. These included a variety of biomes, environmental and climatic conditions in the models evaluation.Overall, model performance can largely be described as satisfactory for most of the experimental sites and evaluated parameters. For all model parameters compared,
predicted H fluxes consistently obtained the highest agreement to the in-situ data in all ecosystems, with an average RMSD of 55.36Wm2. LE fluxes and Rnet also agreed well with the in-situ data with RSMDs of 62.75 and 64.65Wm2 respectively. A good
15 agreement between modelled and measured LE and H fluxes was found, especially for smoothed daily flux trends. For both Tair 1.3m and Tair 50m a mean RMSD of 4.14 and 3.54 C was reported respectively. This work presents the first all-inclusive evaluation of SimSphere, particularly so in
a European setting. Results of this study contribute decisively towards obtaining a better understanding of the model’s structure and its correspondence to the real world system. Findings also further establish the model’s capability as a useful teaching and research tool in modelling Earth’s land surface interactions. This is of considerable importance in the light of the rapidly expanding use of the model worldwide, including
ongoing research by various Space Agencies examining its synergistic use with Earth Observation data towards the development of operational products at a global scale.
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This paper describes the validation of the SimSphere SVAT model conducted at different ecosystem types in the USA and Australia. Specific focus was given to examining the models’ ability in predicting Shortwave Incoming Solar Radiation (Rg), Net Radiation (Rnet), Latent Heat (LE), Sensible Heat (H), Air Temperature at 1.3m (Tair 1.3m) and Air Temperature at 50m (Tair 50m). Model predictions were compared against corresponding in situ measurements acquired for a total of 72 selected days of the year 2011 obtained from 8 sites belonging to the AmeriFlux (USA) and OzFlux (Australia) monitoring networks. Selected sites were representative of a variety of environmental, biome and climatic conditions, to allow for the inclusion of contrasting conditions in the model evaluation.
The application of the model confirmed its high capability in representing the multifarious and complex interactions of the Earth system. Comparisons showed a good agreement
between modelled and measured fluxes, especially for the days with smoothed daily flux trends. A good to excellent agreement between the model predictions and the in situ measurements was reported, particularly so for the LE, H, Tair 1.3m and Tair 50m parameters (RMSD= 39.47, 55.06Wm2, 3.23, 3.77 C respectively). A systematic underestimation of Rg and Rnet (RMSD=67.83, 58.69Wm2, MBE= 67.83, 58.69Wm2 respectively) was also found. Highest simulation accuracies were obtained for the open woodland savannah and mulga woodland sites for most of the compared parameters. Very high values of the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency index were also reported for all parameters ranging from 0.720 to 0.998, suggesting a very good model representation of the observations.
To our knowledge, this study presents the first comprehensive validation of SimSphere, particularly so in USA and Australian ecosystem types. Findings are important and timely, given the rapidly expanding use of this model worldwide both as an educational and research tool. This includes ongoing research by different Space Agencies examining its synergistic use with Earth Observation data towards the development of global operational products.
In this present study the ability of the SimSphere Soil Vegetation Atmosphere Transfer (SVAT) model in estimating key parameters characterising land surface interactions was evaluated. Specifically, SimSphere’s performance in predicting Net Radiation (Rnet), Latent Heat (LE), 5 Sensible Heat (H) and Air Temperature (Tair) at 1.3 and 50m was examined. Model simulations were validated by ground-based measurements of
the corresponding parameters for a total of 70 days of the year 2011 from 7 CarboEurope network sites. These included a variety of biomes, environmental and climatic conditions in the models evaluation.Overall, model performance can largely be described as satisfactory for most of the experimental sites and evaluated parameters. For all model parameters compared,
predicted H fluxes consistently obtained the highest agreement to the in-situ data in all ecosystems, with an average RMSD of 55.36Wm2. LE fluxes and Rnet also agreed well with the in-situ data with RSMDs of 62.75 and 64.65Wm2 respectively. A good
15 agreement between modelled and measured LE and H fluxes was found, especially for smoothed daily flux trends. For both Tair 1.3m and Tair 50m a mean RMSD of 4.14 and 3.54 C was reported respectively. This work presents the first all-inclusive evaluation of SimSphere, particularly so in
a European setting. Results of this study contribute decisively towards obtaining a better understanding of the model’s structure and its correspondence to the real world system. Findings also further establish the model’s capability as a useful teaching and research tool in modelling Earth’s land surface interactions. This is of considerable importance in the light of the rapidly expanding use of the model worldwide, including
ongoing research by various Space Agencies examining its synergistic use with Earth Observation data towards the development of operational products at a global scale.
This paper describes the validation of the SimSphere SVAT model conducted at different ecosystem types in the USA and Australia. Specific focus was given to examining the models’ ability in predicting Shortwave Incoming Solar Radiation (Rg), Net Radiation (Rnet), Latent Heat (LE), Sensible Heat (H), Air Temperature at 1.3m (Tair 1.3m) and Air Temperature at 50m (Tair 50m). Model predictions were compared against corresponding in situ measurements acquired for a total of 72 selected days of the year 2011 obtained from 8 sites belonging to the AmeriFlux (USA) and OzFlux (Australia) monitoring networks. Selected sites were representative of a variety of environmental, biome and climatic conditions, to allow for the inclusion of contrasting conditions in the model evaluation.
The application of the model confirmed its high capability in representing the multifarious and complex interactions of the Earth system. Comparisons showed a good agreement
between modelled and measured fluxes, especially for the days with smoothed daily flux trends. A good to excellent agreement between the model predictions and the in situ measurements was reported, particularly so for the LE, H, Tair 1.3m and Tair 50m parameters (RMSD= 39.47, 55.06Wm2, 3.23, 3.77 C respectively). A systematic underestimation of Rg and Rnet (RMSD=67.83, 58.69Wm2, MBE= 67.83, 58.69Wm2 respectively) was also found. Highest simulation accuracies were obtained for the open woodland savannah and mulga woodland sites for most of the compared parameters. Very high values of the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency index were also reported for all parameters ranging from 0.720 to 0.998, suggesting a very good model representation of the observations.
To our knowledge, this study presents the first comprehensive validation of SimSphere, particularly so in USA and Australian ecosystem types. Findings are important and timely, given the rapidly expanding use of this model worldwide both as an educational and research tool. This includes ongoing research by different Space Agencies examining its synergistic use with Earth Observation data towards the development of global operational products.
In this present study the ability of the SimSphere Soil Vegetation Atmosphere Transfer (SVAT) model in estimating key parameters characterising land surface interactions was evaluated. Specifically, SimSphere’s performance in predicting Net Radiation (Rnet), Latent Heat (LE), 5 Sensible Heat (H) and Air Temperature (Tair) at 1.3 and 50m was examined. Model simulations were validated by ground-based measurements of
the corresponding parameters for a total of 70 days of the year 2011 from 7 CarboEurope network sites. These included a variety of biomes, environmental and climatic conditions in the models evaluation.Overall, model performance can largely be described as satisfactory for most of the experimental sites and evaluated parameters. For all model parameters compared,
predicted H fluxes consistently obtained the highest agreement to the in-situ data in all ecosystems, with an average RMSD of 55.36Wm2. LE fluxes and Rnet also agreed well with the in-situ data with RSMDs of 62.75 and 64.65Wm2 respectively. A good
15 agreement between modelled and measured LE and H fluxes was found, especially for smoothed daily flux trends. For both Tair 1.3m and Tair 50m a mean RMSD of 4.14 and 3.54 C was reported respectively. This work presents the first all-inclusive evaluation of SimSphere, particularly so in
a European setting. Results of this study contribute decisively towards obtaining a better understanding of the model’s structure and its correspondence to the real world system. Findings also further establish the model’s capability as a useful teaching and research tool in modelling Earth’s land surface interactions. This is of considerable importance in the light of the rapidly expanding use of the model worldwide, including
ongoing research by various Space Agencies examining its synergistic use with Earth Observation data towards the development of operational products at a global scale.