atmosphere

Article
Uncertainty Analysis of Remote Sensing Underlying Surface
in Land–Atmosphere Interaction Simulated Using Land
Surface Models
Xiaolu Ling 1,2, * , Hao Gao 3,4 , Jian Gao 1 , Wenhao Liu 1 and Zeyu Tang 1

1 School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology,
Xuzhou 221116, China
2 Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Coal-Based Greenhouse Gas Control and Utilization, China University of Mining
and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
3 Key Laboratory of Radiometric Calibration and Validation for Environmental Satellites, National Satellite
Meteorological Center (National Center for Space Weather), China Meteorological Administration,
Beijing 100081, China
4 Innovation Center for FengYun Meteorological Satellite (FYSIC), Beijing 100081, China
* Correspondence: lingxl@cumt.edu.cn

Abstract: This paper reports a comparative experiment using remote sensing underlying surface data
(ESACCI) and Community Land Model underlying surface data (CLM_LS) to analyze the uncertainty
of land surface types in land–atmosphere interaction. The results showed that the global distribution
of ESACCI cropland is larger than that of CLM_LS, and there is a great degree of difference in some
regions, which can reach more than 50% regionally. Furthermore, the changes of the underlying
surface conditions can be transmitted to the model results through the data itself, resulting in the
uncertainty of the surface energy balance, surface micro-meteorological elements, and surface water
balance simulated by the model, which further affects the climate simulation effect.

Keywords: uncertainty; Community Land Model; underlying surface; land–atmosphere interaction

Citation: Ling, X.; Gao, H.; Gao, J.;

Liu, W.; Tang, Z. Uncertainty Analysis
1. Introduction
of Remote Sensing Underlying Surface
in Land–Atmosphere Interaction Land–atmosphere interaction can affect the distribution of energy and matter in the
Simulated Using Land Surface Models. earth system and can further influence atmospheric movement and, thus, climate change at
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370. https:// different tempo-spatial scales (for example, from 0.1 m to global spatial scales and from
doi.org/10.3390/atmos14020370 0.1 s to interannual or even longer time scales) [1,2]. Underlying surface types, such as
forest, grassland, cropland, urban areas, and water, have different thermal and dynamic
Academic Editors: Ying Zhang,
Sijia Lou and Qingqing He
characteristics of the land surface that can have a great impact on climate at micro, local,
and even global scales [3–5]. The crop type is one of the underlying surfaces that is greatly
Received: 16 December 2022 affected by human activities, and interventions and forces on nature can become more
Revised: 6 February 2023 profound and extensive through the transmission of land surface processes [6–9].
Accepted: 7 February 2023 Changes in the underlying surface have brought different degrees of climatic effects.
Published: 13 February 2023
Research results generally show that changes in vegetation cover can affect radiation and
water balance by changing surface properties, such as surface albedo, roughness, soil
moisture, and so on. Furthermore, changes of land cover can ultimately influence regional
climate change, such as atmospheric temperature, humidity, precipitation, circulation, and
Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
so on [10,11]. Other results show that land surface processes have no obvious impact on
This article is an open access article
climate at a global scale, but there are large differences at regional scales [9,12]. Different
distributed under the terms and
types of underlays have a significant impact on the diurnal variation of meteorological
conditions of the Creative Commons elements, and the degree of influence for the wind speed is the largest, followed by land
Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// surface temperature and air temperature, and air humidity has the lowest influence [3,5,13].
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ In terms of climatic effects, woodland has climatic effects of cooling, humidification, and
4.0/). wind protection; grassland has climatic effects of cooling and humidification; bare land is

Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14020370 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere

Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 2 of 17

characterized by dryness and heat; and the climate effects for cropland is between bare
land and grassland [14,15].
The underlying surface is affected by both natural factors and human activities. From
the perspective of natural factors, different solar radiation, sea, and land conditions, etc.,
and their relative climate changes will result in different underlying surfaces and variation
in characteristics [16]. Human activities have greatly altered morphological characteristics
of the land surface, and this effect has been increasing [17–20]. Human activities have
greatly altered land use and land cover, primarily in the past few centuries, by converting
natural ecosystems to cropland [21,22]. Deforestation, urbanization, overgrazing, and
desertification have been found combined with drought, extreme high temperature, and
other climatic conditions. The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report mentioned that changes in
land surface albedo brought about by land use and land cover change (LULCC) resulted in
a change of −0.15 ± 0.10 Wm−2 since 1750 in the global radiative albedo [23]. In addition
to radiative effects, changes due to LULCC also have large effects on nonradiative forcing
and evapotranspiration, especially at regional scales [24]. To correctly assess the impact of
climate change, it is necessary to accurately describe the conditions of the land surface.
Farming is an important component of typical human activities that affect climate [16,25,26].
Since the 21st century, the increase in the underlying surface of cropland has been very
significant. For example, the world’s cropland has grown rapidly in the past three hundred
years, from 2.65 × 108 hm2 in 1700 to 14.71 × 108 hm2 in 1990 [27]. According to FAO data,
by 2009, the cropland area reached 15.33 × 108 hm2 [28]. There has been an increase in the
underlying surface of cropland in most regions of the world, mainly in North America,
Europe, the Middle East, India, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Among them, the proportion
of the underlying surface of cropland in some regions has increased by more than 50%. Most
studies have found that climate change has a significant impact on cropland ecosystems;
on the contrary, cropland ecosystems also have a moderating effect on climate change. For
example, 10–15% of the increase in methane is attributable to paddy fields [29–31].
With the development of technology and remote sensing, there has been great progress
in research on land surface processes, for which land surface data have great scientific
significance. On the one hand, research on land surface processes demands extensive data;
on the other hand, multi-parameter high-quality data also play a role in promoting research
on land surface processes [32,33].
In the study of land surface processes, a variety of data products have emerged from
multiple sources, such as the European Space Agency products (ESACCI) and GLOB-
COVER land cover data products, which are mainly from MERIS FR/SR [34], MODIS land
cover data product (MCD12Q1), etc. Although derived from satellite inversion data, these
multi-source-based key parameter data products have differences in characteristics such
as resolution and inversion methods, which, in turn, lead to differences among the data
at a global scale. Large differences exist for various remotely sensed products to describe
land surface features, which creates uncertainty in the land surface data itself. Using multi-
source land cover data, Meiyappan and Jain [35] compared different estimated cropland
and pasture areas and concluded that different estimation methods have an impact on the
amount of cropland and pasture area, and it is likely that the uncertainty of the data will
bring about uncertainty of the model.
Uncertainty in the data is transmitted to the model results through model inputs,
which affects the climate simulations. Some studies used potential vegetation and existing
vegetation as different model parameters to input into the Community Land Model (CLM)
and obtained the change response of different parameters, as well as the climate impact
brought about by LULCC [21,36]. Madhusoodhanan et al. [37] assessed uncertainty in
global land cover products applied to hydroclimate models, to evaluate the uncertainty of
simulation effects for evapotranspiration, latent heat flux, and sensible heat flux.
In this paper, the remotely sensed underlying surface data are substituted into the
model as the underlying surface parameters to analyze the radiation, energy balance, and
material exchange processes in the land–atmosphere interaction, as well as the ground
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 3 of 17

energy balance state, and then analyze the impact of climate uncertainty by underlying
data at the global and regional scales.

2. Data and Methods

2.1. Community Land Model (CLM4.5) and Its Underlying Surface Dataset
The model used in this paper is the Community Land Model version 4.5 (CLM4.5)
developed and maintained by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR),
which is widely used to simulate physical, chemical, and biological processes of terres-
trial ecosystems interacting with the atmosphere at different tempo-spatial scales. Each
modeling grid point contains five land cover types: glaciers, lakes, wetlands, cities, and
vegetation, and vegetation is further divided into 15 plant functional types (PFTs). During
simulation, CLM4.5 calculates the energy and water cycle at each PFTs separately and
finally presents them at grid scale. It is worth mentioning that during the operation of
CLM4.5, the dynamic carbon and nitrogen cycle module is also activated (CLM4.5CN), and
the interaction of vegetation carbon–nitrogen elements can be considered in the process of
model operation.
The underlying surface data of CLM4.5CN (CLM_LS) come from different databases
(Olesen et al., 2013), among which the PFTs data come from the MODIS data [38], which are
from a multi-year averaged underlying surface dataset, while cropland data are from [39].

2.2. ESACCI Underlying Surface Dataset

The ESACCI underlying surface data come from the combined data product of the
MERIS satellite data and the SPOT-VGT 300 m spatial resolution underlying surface distri-
bution. Starting from the data of different resolution channels of the MERIS satellite, the
time series was obtained through preprocessing and then supplemented by the vegetation
time series data of SPOT-VGT, plus the classification of land cover types, and finally the
global land cover map was obtained. ESA CCI released a long-term global land cover time
series (1992–2018) until now.

2.3. Processing of ESACCI Underlying Dataset

Table 1 shows the comparison of classification for CLM_LS and ESACCI, respectively.
It can be seen that although both classifications divide the underlying surface into ice and
snow, forest, grassland, shrub, cropland, water body, cities, and other types, the specific
classification standards are inconsistent. In order to make the underlying surface of ESACCI
the same as the CLM_LS PFTs, the ESACCI 300 m resolution land cover data is processed
by up-grid [40]. The ESACCI land surface dataset is reclassified to the CLM land use
categories according to the classification types as showed in the left column of Table 2, to
make both underlying datasets consistent with each other. Furthermore, relative influence
factors, such as accumulated temperature, growing degree days, precipitation, and other
meteorological factors, are considered to divide the climatic zones into tropical, temperate,
and boreal. The specific classification basis and classification method are shown in Table 2.
For example, the regions with accumulated temperature larger than 15.5 ◦ C are treated
as tropical regions, while the regions with accumulated temperature less than −19 ◦ C are
treated as boreal regions, otherwise the regions are treated as temperate regions. As for
the shrub and tree, the regions with growing degree days larger than 1200 days are treated
as temperate regions, while less than 1200 days are treated as boreal regions. For the type
of grass, the regions with growing degree days of less than 1000 days are treated as arctic
regions, while values larger than 1000 days are treated as C3 and C4 grass regions, and
the winter temperature and monthly precipitation are used to distinguish the C3 and C4
type. The detailed description for specific classification basis and classification method are
shown in Table 2. In this manuscript we choose the year 2002 as the studying period, as
shown in Table 3.
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 4 of 17

Table 1. Comparison of classification for CLM_LS and ESACCI.

CLM_LS ESACCI
Needleleaf evergreen tree–temperate
1 10 Cropland, rainfed
(NET–temperate)
Needleleaf evergreen tree–boreal
2 20 Cropland, irrigated or post-flooding
(NET–boreal)
Needleleaf deciduous tree–boreal
3 30 Mosaic cropland/natural vegetation
(NDT–boreal)
Broadleaf evergreen tree–tropical
4 40 Mosaic natural vegetation/cropland
(BET–tropical)
Broadleaf evergreen tree–temperate Tree cover, broadleaved, evergreen,
5 50
(BET–temperate) closed to open
Broadleaf deciduous tree–tropical Tree cover, broadleaved, deciduous,
6 60
(BDT–tropical) closed to open
Tree cover,
Broadleaf deciduous tree–temperate
7 70 Needleleaved, evergreen, closed to
(BDT–temperate)
open
Broadleaf deciduous tree–boreal Tree cover, needleleaved, deciduous,
8 80
(BDT–boreal) closed to open
Broadleaf evergreen Tree cover,
9 90
shrub–temperate (BES–temperate) mixed leaf type
Broadleaf deciduous Mosaic tree and shrub/herbaceous
10 100
shrub–temperate (BDS–temperate) cover
Broadleaf deciduous shrub–boreal Mosaic herbaceous cover/tree and
11 110
(BDS–boreal) shrub
12 C3 arctic grass 120 Shrubland
13 C3 grass 130 Grassland
14 C4 grass 140 Lichens and mosses
15 Crop 150 Sparse vegetation
Tree cover, flooded, fresh or
0 Bare soil 160
brackish water
Tree cover, flooded,
170
Saline water
Shrub or herbaceous cover, flooded,
180
fresh/saline/brackish water
190 Urban areas
200 Bare areas
210 Water bodies
220 Permanent snow and ice
0 No Data

Table 2. Classification basis and classification method.

No. PFTs ESACCI Climate Rules

1 NET–temperate 70 Tc > −19 ◦ C, and GDD2 > 1200
1

2 NET–boreal 70 Tc ≤ −19 ◦ C, or GDD ≤ 1200

3 NDT–boreal 80, 81, 82 none
4 BET–tropical 50 Tc > 15.5 ◦ C
5 BET–temperate 50 Tc ≤ 15.5 ◦ C
6 BDT–tropical 60, 61 Tc > 15.5 ◦ C
7 BDT–temperate 60, 61 −15 C < Tc ≤ 15.5 ◦ C, and GDD > 1200
◦
8 BDT–boreal 60, 61 Tc ≤ −15 ◦ C, or GDD ≤ 1200
11, 120,
9 BES–temperate Tc > −19 ◦ C and GDD > 1200 and Pann 3 > 520 nm and Pwin 4 > 2/3 Pann
121, 122
11, 120,
10 BDS–temperate Tc > −19 ◦ C and GDD > 1200 and (Pann ≤ 520 nm or Pwin ≤ 2/3 Pann )
121,122
11, 120,
11 BDS–boreal Tc ≤ −19 ◦ C, or GDD ≤ 1200
121, 122
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 5 of 17

Table 2. Cont.

No. PFTs ESACCI Climate Rules

12 C3 arctic grass 110, 130 GDD < 1000
13 C3 grass 110, 130 GDD > 1000 and (Tw 5 ≤ 22 ◦ C or Pmon 6 ≤ 25 mm and for months with T > 22 ◦ C)
14 C4 grass 110, 130 GDD > 1000 and (Tw > 22 ◦ C and driest month Pmon > 25 mm)
15 Crop 10, 20, 30 None
1 Tc : accumulated temperature; 2 GDD: growing degree days; 3 Pann : annual precipitation; 4 Pwin : winter
precipitation; 5 Tw : winter temperature; 6 Pmon : monthly precipitation.

Table 3. Experimental design.

Land
Initial Spatial Simulation
Name Model Surface
Condition Resolution PERIODS
Types
CTL CLM4.5CN CLM_LS CLM 0.9 × 1.25 2000
ESACCI CLM4.5CN ESACCI CLM 0.9 × 1.25 2000

2.4. Experimental Design

Two comparative experiments (CTL and ESACCI) are designed by running the
CLM4.5CN mode. The initial conditions, as well as the forcing conditions of both ex-
periments, are consistent with each other. Only the underlying surface uses CLM_LS
and ESACCI, respectively. After running the model, the global distribution and zonal
distribution of key parameters, such as energy balance, micro-meteorological elements, and
water balance, are discussed for analysis.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Differences in Underlying Surfaces
Figure 1 shows the spatial distribution of the difference in grid proportion for all
PFTs in the CTL and ESACCI experiment, respectively. Generally, the global distribution
characteristics of the 15 PFTs for both datasets remain consistent. Specifically, obviously
negative biases between ESACCI and CLM_LS are found for NET-boreal and BDS–boreal,
but positive biases for NET–temperate, NDT–boreal, and Crop. Large biases are more easily
detected at high-latitude regions of the northern hemisphere, as well as for the vegetation
with a needle leaf. The crop type is another typical type with a large difference, which is
highly correlated with human activities. The reason for the difference may be that after
preprocessing under different classification methods, there is an increase in the proportion
of the data itself. Another possible reason for the change in the ratio is that the vegetation
in high latitudes is ignored to a certain extent in the data observation process.
Specifically, the proportion of NET–boreal for ESACCI is very low, while for CLM_LS,
most of the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere can reach more than 50%. The
same condition occurs for the BDS–boreal. BDS–boreal has a large-scale and high-density
distribution in the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere, reaching more than 50% in
eastern Europe. However, in the global coverage of ESACCI, there is no distribution or
sparse distribution for BDS–boreal.
The distribution of the Crop type described by CLM_LS and ESACCI is mainly con-
centrated in Europe, southern North America, the eastern coastal area of South America,
central Africa, southeastern Africa, as well as East and Southeast Asia, India, and western
Russia. The regions with the most intensive distribution of crop are mainly in India and
central North America, where the proportion of cropland components can reach about
80%. Although the spatial distribution of cropland for both datasets is similar, there are still
significant differences at global and regional scales. The proportion of crops in the global
ESACCI data is larger than that in the CLM_LS data globally. It can be seen that in the
Mediterranean coastal area of Europe, the proportion of cropland of CLM_LS is larger than
that of ESACCI, and the difference is 20~30%, while in the eastern coastal area of India, the
 Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 6 of 17

proportion of cropland of CLM_LS is also larger, with the difference reaching 40% to 50%.
In other regions of the Eurasian continent, ESACCI’s cropland proportion is larger than
Atmosphere 2023, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW
that of CLM_LS, among which northwestern India, western Russia, northern China, and 6 of 18
northeastern China are the most significant, reaching more than 50%.

Figure
Figure1.1.The
Thedifference
difference iningrid
gridproportion
proportionforfor different
different PFTsPFTs (ESACCI–CLM_LS):
(ESACCI–CLM_LS): (a) NET–temper-
(a) NET–temperate;
ate;
(b) (b) NET–boreal;
NET–boreal; (c) NDT–boreal;
(c) NDT–boreal; (d) BET–tropical;
(d) BET–tropical; (e) BET–temperate;
(e) BET–temperate; (f) BDT–tropical;
(f) BDT–tropical; (g) BDT– (g)
BDT–temperate; (h) BDT–boreal; (i) BES–temperate; (j) BDS–temperate; (k) BDS–boreal;
temperate; (h) BDT–boreal; (i) BES–temperate; (j) BDS–temperate; (k) BDS–boreal; (l) C3 arctic (l)grass;
C3 arctic
grass; (m) C3 grass; (n) C4 grass;
(m) C3 grass; (n) C4 grass; (o) Crop.(o) Crop.

The global proportions

Specifically, for all PFTs,
the proportion as well as simulated
of NET–boreal variables
for ESACCI is invery
different
low,latitudi-
while for
nal bands,most
CLM_LS, are also discussed
of the in this work
high latitudes based
of the on climatic
northern background
hemisphere divisions.
can reach moreThe four50%.
than
bands
The are condition
same the northern and southern
occurs equatorial zones
for the BDS–boreal. (0–23◦ N and
BDS–boreal has0–23
◦ S), the northern
a large-scale and high-
temperate zones (23–45 ◦ (45–65◦ N).
density distribution in theN),
highandlatitudes
the boreal
of zone
the northern As for the reaching
hemisphere, zonal range, thethan
more
largest inconsistency between ESACCI and CLM_LS is found for the boreal zone, especially
50% in eastern Europe. However, in the global coverage of ESACCI, there is no distribu-
for the type of BDT-tropical, C3 grass, C4 grass, and crop. Compared with CLM_LS, most
tion or sparse distribution for BDS–boreal.
PFTs are underestimated, except for the fact that crops are overestimated globally and
The distribution of the Crop type described by CLM_LS and ESACCI is mainly con-
centrated in Europe, southern North America, the eastern coastal area of South America,
central Africa, southeastern Africa, as well as East and Southeast Asia, India, and western
Russia. The regions with the most intensive distribution of crop are mainly in India and
central North America, where the proportion of cropland components can reach about
 The global proportions for all PFTs, as well as simulated variables in different latitu-
dinal bands, are also discussed in this work based on climatic background divisions. The
four bands are the northern and southern equatorial zones (0–23° N and 0–23° S), the
northern temperate zones (23–45° N), and the boreal zone (45–65° N). As for the zonal
range, the largest inconsistency between ESACCI and CLM_LS is found for the boreal
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 7 of 17
zone, especially for the type of BDT-tropical, C3 grass, C4 grass, and crop. Compared with
CLM_LS, most PFTs are underestimated, except for the fact that crops are overestimated
globally and at four latitudinal bands. There is no difference for NDT–boreal between
at four latitudinal
ESACCI bands.
and CLM_LS, There
mainly is no difference
because for NDT–boreal
the vegetation between
type is sparsely ESACCI
distributed and
globally
CLM_LS, mainly
(Figure 2). because the vegetation type is sparsely distributed globally (Figure 2).

Figure2.2.The
Figure Thedifference
differencein
inthe
thePFTs’
PFTs’coverage
coveragebetween
betweenESACCI
ESACCIand
andCLM_LS.
CLM_LS.

In conclusion,
In conclusion, there are
are various
variousdegrees
degreesofofdifferences inin
differences thethe
underlying
underlying surfaces be-
surfaces
tween multi-source
between multi-sourcedata
datasets,
sets,which
which come
come from methods, data
from observation methods, data generation
generation
process
processchains,
chains,and
andresolution
resolution classification
classificationmethods
methodsthat areare
that preserved afterafter
preserved preprocess-
prepro-
ing. Uncertainty
cessing. is directly
Uncertainty reflected
is directly at the
reflected at global andand
the global regional scales
regional for for
scales the the
underlying
underly-
surface types.
ing surface types.

3.2.
3.2.Radiation
Radiation
In
Inorder
ordertotoanalyze
analyzethe
theimpact
impactofofthe
the underlying
underlyingsurface
surfacedataset
dataseton
onthe
the surface
surfaceenergy
energy
balance, this section analyzes the spatial distribution of the key variables in the
balance, this section analyzes the spatial distribution of the key variables in the surface surface
energy
energybalance,
balance,including
includingabsorbed
absorbedsolar
solar radiation
radiation (ASR),
(ASR), reflected
reflected solar
solar radiation
radiation (RSR),
(RSR),
and net longwave radiation (NLR). Considering that vegetation is mainly
and net longwave radiation (NLR). Considering that vegetation is mainly distributeddistributed in the
in
northern hemisphere and July is the main growing season in the northern hemisphere,
the northern hemisphere and July is the main growing season in the northern hemisphere, the
month of July
the month ofwas
Julyselected as a typical
was selected month to
as a typical analyze
month the global
to analyze distribution
the of modeled
global distribution of
variables.
modeled variables.
At the global scale, the difference of ASR between ESACCI and CLM_LS is larger than
At the global scale, the difference of ASR between ESACCI and CLM_LS is larger
NLR and RSR. There is an obvious band of negative bias, with a difference between −15
than NLR and2 RSR. There is an obvious band of negative bias, with a difference between
and −1 W/m for ASR at around 60◦ N latitude, that is, the ESACCI ASR is larger than
−15 and −1 W/m2 for ASR at around 60° N latitude, that is, the ESACCI ASR is larger than
CLM_LS ASR. In the southern part of North America, where cropland is widely distributed,
CLM_LS ASR. In the southern part of North America, where cropland is widely distrib-
there is essentially a positive difference, with the maximum reaching about 20 W/m22,
uted, there is essentially a positive difference, with the maximum reaching about 20 W/m ,
located on the west coast of the United States at about 40◦ N latitude. On the Eurasian
located on the west coast of the United States at about 40° N latitude. On the Eurasian
continent at mid-latitudes, regions of positive and negative biases are staggered. At the
continent at mid-latitudes, regions of positive and negative biases are staggered. At the
junction of Asia and Europe, where cropland is densely distributed, there is an obvious
junction of Asia and Europe, where cropland is densely distributed, there is an obvious
positive bias region, with a value ranging from 1 to 10 W/m2 . The regions with the largest
negative biases are located in the southwestern region of Russia, which happens to be one
of the most densely distributed areas of cropland on the Eurasian continent and also one of
the areas with the largest bias in the composition of cropland described by both datasets.
The semi-arid regions of China with large positive differences in cropland components
present a wide range of negative differences in ASR, ranging from 1 to 10 W/m2 . India
is also an important cropland distribution region in Asia, with a difference in regional
composition of about 30%. Corresponding to Figure 3a, there is an insignificant negative
difference distribution in the Indian region, with a value between −10 and −5 W/m2 for
the ASR.
 tasets. The semi-arid regions of China with large positive differences in cropland compo-
nents present a wide range of negative differences in ASR, ranging from 1 to 10 W/m2.
India is also an important cropland distribution region in Asia, with a difference in re-
gional composition of about 30%. Corresponding to Figure 3a, there is an insignificant
Atmosphere 2023,negative
14, 370 difference distribution in the Indian region, with a value between −10 and −5 8 of 17
W/m2 for the ASR.

Figure 3. The difference

Figure of
3. ESACCI and CLM_LS
The difference of ESACCI forand
(a) CLM_LS
absorbedfor
solar radiationsolar
(a) absorbed (ASR), (b) reflected
radiation (ASR), (b) reflected
solar radiation (RSR), 2) (July 2000). 2
solarand (c) net(RSR),
radiation longwave
and (c)radiation (NLR)radiation
net longwave (unit: W/m
(NLR) (unit: W/m ) (July 2000).

In addition
In addition to North Americato North America there
and Eurasia, and Eurasia,
are twothereotherareregions
two otherwith regions
both with both
dense cropland and large biases;
dense cropland and large biases; one is the southeastern one is the southeastern region of South
region of South America, and the America, and the
other is the belt-like area around 10◦ N in central Africa, with the differences in cropland
other is the belt-like area around 10° N in central Africa, with the differences in cropland
components all above 50%. In Figure 3a, there are positive and negative differences for
components all above 50%. In Figure 3a, there are positive and negative differences for
ASR in these two typical areas, which are not the expected areas with a single negative
ASR in these two typical areas, which are not the expected areas with a single negative
difference, but some of the negative biases can reach 15 W/m2 . There are also two areas
difference, but some of the negative biases can reach 15 W/m 2. There are also two areas
with large values; one is the west coast of Africa around 10◦ S, with a positive difference in
with large values;ASRone is the west
reaching morecoast
than 20of W/m
Africa2 , around
and the 10°
otherS, iswith a positive
Australia, withdifference
a negative difference
in ASR reachinginmore than 20 W/m 2, and2 the other is Australia, with
ASR reaching 15 W/m . However, the differences in the composition a negative difference
of the cropland
in ASR reachingcorresponding
15 W/m2. However, the regions
to these two differences in the
are very composition
small, of thethat
which indicates cropland
there is a complex
corresponding to these two regions
relationship betweenare thevery small, in
difference which
ASR indicates that thereinisthe
and the difference a complex
composition of the
cropland.
relationship between the Furthermore,
difference inthe ASR influence
and theofdifference
some otherin vegetation types is another
the composition of the important
factor.
cropland. Furthermore, the influence of some other vegetation types is another important
factor. In the surface energy balance, the change in the albedo of the land surface leads to a
change
In the surface energyin the ratio ofthe
balance, ASR and RSR,
change in thewhich, in turn,
albedo of the affects
landthe energy
surface balance
leads to a state of the
change in the ratio of ASR and RSR, which, in turn, affects the energy balance state of theCombining
land surface. Figure 3b shows the spatial distribution of differences for RSR.
Figure 3a,b, it can be found that there is an obvious reverse distribution at the global scale;
land surface. Figure 3b shows the spatial distribution of differences for RSR. Combining
that is, the regions with positive biases in ASR will have negative biases in RSR. In regions
Figure 3a,b, it can be found that there is an obvious reverse distribution at the global scale;
where cropland is concentrated, such as semi-arid regions of China, India, southeastern
that is, the regions withAmerica,
North positivecentral
biases in ASR and
Africa, will southeastern
have negativeSouth biases in RSR. In
America, RSR regions
has the opposite
where croplanddistribution
is concentrated, such as semi-arid
of characteristics to ASR.regions of RSR
Globally, China, India,
shows thesoutheastern
largest negative bias of
North America,−central
15~−10Africa,
W/m2 and southeastern
in southern Africa,South America,
and the west coast RSRofhasthethe opposite
United States in North
America. In the semi-arid region of China and northeastern China, there is an obviously
positive bias.
There is a large-scale negatively biased region for NLR at about 60◦ N latitudes, with
the maximum value of −16~−12 W/m2 occurring in Vladivostok, Russia. On the contrary,
at the mid-high latitude (50~60◦ N) region near the Sino-Mongolian border, a positive bias
of about 20 W/m2 exists. The two significant regions with positive and negative NLR
biases correspond to insignificant differences in cropland composition. There is no obvious
difference for NLR in the cropland-intensive areas of the Eurasian continent (semi-arid
 the maximum value of −16~−12 W/m2 occurring in Vladivostok, Russia. On the contrary,
at the mid-high latitude (50~60° N) region near the Sino-Mongolian border, a positive bias
of about 20 W/m2 exists. The two significant regions with positive and negative NLR bi-
ases correspond to insignificant differences in cropland composition. There is no obvious
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 difference for NLR in the cropland-intensive areas of the Eurasian continent 9(semi-arid of 17
regions of China, India, the Middle East, and Europe). Similar to what is found in Figure
3a, there is a maximum negative bias of NLR in Australia (about −16 W/m2), and a maxi-
mum value
regions of positive
of China, India, thebias
Middleof NLR (above
East, and 30 W/m
Europe). 2) into
Similar southern Africa.
what is found The biases
in Figure 3a, for
there
NLRisina maximum
North America negativearebias
alsoof significant.
NLR in Australia areas −
Most(about W/m2America
of16North ), and a maximum
have different
value of positive
degrees bias of
of negative NLR The
biases. (above 30 W/m2negative
maximum ) in southern
bias Africa. The biases
of −20 W/m for NLR
2 appears in coast
on the
North America are also significant. Most areas of North America have different
of the Arctic Ocean around 70° N, and there is also an obvious negative bias area in south- degrees
of negative biases. The maximum negative bias of −20 W/m 2 appears on the coast of the
eastern North America, ◦
where cropland is densely distributed (−16~−4 W/m2). At 50~60°
Arctic Ocean around 70 N, and there is also an obvious negative bias area in southeastern
N latitude, there is a certain degree of positive difference, and the largest value◦ appears
2 ). At 50~60
North America, where cropland is densely distributed (−16~−4 W/m N
on the border of the United States and Canada, around 20 W/m2. In summary, although
latitude, there is a certain degree of positive difference, and the largest value appears on the
cropland composition causes general changes in global NLR, the distribution of NLR in
border of the United States and Canada, around 20 W/m2 . In summary, although cropland
Figure 3c iscauses
composition somewhat generaldifferent
changestointhe distribution
global NLR, the of the cropland
distribution component.
of NLR in Figure 3c is
The zonal distribution of differences in ASR,
somewhat different to the distribution of the cropland component. RSR, and NLR between ESACCI and
CLM_LS is also
The zonal displayedofindifferences
distribution Figure 4. Generally,
in ASR, RSR, theand
ASR NLRandbetween
RSR areESACCI
obviously
andlarger
in the northern
CLM_LS temperate
is also displayed in region
Figure than in the other
4. Generally, regions,
the ASR and RSRespecially in SONlarger
are obviously seasons.
in The
difference in NLR is the largest in the boreal region, with the
the northern temperate region than in the other regions, especially in SON seasons. Themaximum in September.
difference in NLR
There is also is thebias
a large largest
for in
NLRthe in
boreal region, with
the northern the maximum
temperate in September.
region, There
with the maximum in
isJanuary.
also a large bias for NLR in the northern temperate region, with the maximum in January.

Figure4.4.The
Figure The zonal
zonal distribution
distribution of differences
of differences in (a)(b)
in (a) ASR, ASR,
RSR,(b) RSR,
and and between
(c) NLR (c) NLRESACCI
betweenand
ESACCI
and CLM_LS
CLM_LS (W/m ). (W/m
2 2).

3.3. Heat Fluxes

In addition to radiation balance, sensible heat fluxes (Hs) and latent heat fluxes (Le)
also play an important role in the process of surface energy balance. Figure 5 shows the
difference in spatial distribution of Hs and Le, respectively.
Figure 5a shows that the difference in global Hs is staggered. The largest positive bias
for Hs is found in Africa around 10◦ S latitude, with values larger than 40 W/m2 , which is
also the center with the largest positive difference between ASR and NLR, and the center
with the largest negative difference in RSR.
 3.3. Heat Fluxes
In addition to radiation balance, sensible heat fluxes (Hs) and latent heat fluxes (Le)
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 also play an important role in the process of surface energy balance. Figure 510shows
of 17 the
difference in spatial distribution of Hs and Le, respectively.

Figure5.5.The
Figure Thedifference
difference ofof
ESACCI and
ESACCI CLM_LS
and for (a)
CLM_LS for sensible heat heat
(a) sensible fluxes (Hs) and
fluxes (Hs)(b)
andlatent heat heat
(b) latent
fluxes
fluxes(Le) (W/m2 2))(July
(Le)(W/m (July2000).
2000).

On the Eurasian
Figure 5a showscontinent, there is a significant
that the difference in global Hs negative bias region
is staggered. Thefor Hs (with
largest the bias
positive
largest bias of 15–20 W/m2 ) concentrated in western Russia and Europe where the cropland
for Hs is found in Africa around 10° S latitude, with values larger than 40 W/m2, which is
is densely distributed and the cropland composition varies greatly. There is a positive
also the center with the largest positive difference between ASR and NLR, and the center
difference in the eastern part of Russia and the border area between China and Russia, with
with the largest negative difference in RSR.
a positive difference center around 20 W/m2 . In the vast cropland-intensive areas in East
ChinaOn and the Eurasian
South China,continent,
as well asthere is a there
in India, significant negative
is a negative bias region
difference forranging
for Hs, Hs (with the
largest
from 5 tobias of 15–20
20 W/m W/m
2 . In the 2) concentrated
southeastern part of inNorthwestern
AmericaRussia and Europe
with dense cropland,where
the the
distribution of Hs differences is similar to that of differences in cropland composition, is a
cropland is densely distributed and the cropland composition varies greatly. There
positive
with bothdifference
positive and in negative
the eastern part of Russia
differences and The
coexisting. the border
difference area
is between China and
that a negative
Russia, with
difference a positive
center 20 W/m2 appears
of about difference center in
around 20 W/m
the eastern part2.ofInthe
thecontinent at 40–50◦ N
vast cropland-intensive
latitude,
areas in while a positive
East China and difference center
South China, as appears
well as in along thethere
India, coastis ofathe Arctic Ocean
negative at for
difference
about 60 ◦ N latitude. This distribution characteristic is similar to the distribution of ASR
Hs, ranging from 5 to 20 W/m . In the southeastern part of North America with dense
2

differences. There is also a negative 2

cropland, the distribution of Hs difference
differences area
is of about 10
similar to W/m
that ofindifferences
the difference
in area
cropland
of cropland components in central Africa and southeastern South America,
composition, with both positive and negative differences coexisting. The difference is that and a large
negative difference area of about 20 W/m2 in the2 central part of South America.
a negative difference center of about 20 W/m appears in the eastern part of the continent
Figure 5b presents the global distribution of Le differences. It is obvious that the
at 40–50° N latitude, while a positive difference center appears along the coast of the Arctic
differences are mainly concentrated in the southeastern part of North America, most of
Ocean at about 60° N latitude. This distribution characteristic is similar to the distribution
Europe, the Indian region, and the southern part of eastern China, all of which are the
of ASRwith
regions differences.
the densest There is also aofnegative
distribution cropland.difference area of positive
There is a general about 10 W/m2 in the
difference
in Le in the southeastern part of North America, with a maximum value of more than
16 W/m2 . The positive difference areas in Europe are mainly distributed in Central Europe,
Northern Europe, and the western part of Russia, and the differences in Le are in the range
 Figure 5b presents the global distribution of Le differences. It is obvious that the dif-
ferences are mainly concentrated in the southeastern part of North America, most of Eu-
rope, the Indian region, and the southern part of eastern China, all of which are the regions
with the densest distribution of cropland. There is a general positive difference in Le in
the southeastern part of North America, with a maximum value of more than 16 W/m2.
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 11 of 17
The positive difference areas in Europe are mainly distributed in Central Europe, North-
ern Europe, and the western part of Russia, and the differences in Le are in the range of
3–16 W/m2, while in the Mediterranean coastal area, there is a negative difference area as
of 3–16 W/m2 , while in the Mediterranean coastal area, there is a negative difference area
high as −12 W/m2. There is also a positive difference of 3~12 W/m2 for Le in the Indian
as high as −12 W/m2 . There is also a positive difference of 3~12 W/m2 for Le in the Indian
region. There are large-scale areas of positive differences in Le in the eastern and southern
region. There are large-scale areas of positive differences in Le in the eastern and southern
partsofofChina,
parts China,with
withthethe highest
highest value
value ofW/m
of 16 16 W/m 2 in the southeastern coastal area, which
2 in the southeastern coastal area, which
correspondstoto
corresponds thethe high-value
high-value area area of positive
of positive difference
difference in the southeastern
in the southeastern coast of China coast of
China
in in the difference
the difference map of cropland
map of cropland components. components.
Combining Figures 5 and 6, it can
Combining Figures 5 and 6, it can be seen be seen
thatthat there
there is a certain
is a certain opposite
opposite distribution
distribution
for the difference between Hs and Le, and the centers of their large values
for the difference between Hs and Le, and the centers of their large values correspond to correspond to
theareas
the areaswith
witha adense
dense distribution
distribution of of cropland
cropland or areas
or areas withwith
largelarge differences
differences in cropland
in cropland
components.
components.ItItcancanbebeseen
seenthat thethe
that uncertainty of the
uncertainty multi-source
of the multi-source cropland dataset,
cropland whenwhen
dataset,
brought into the model, has a large impact on the sensible and latent heat
brought into the model, has a large impact on the sensible and latent heat flux parts flux parts of theof the
surface energy balance.
surface energy balance.

Figure6.6.The
Figure Thezonal
zonaldistribution
distribution
of of differences
differences in Hs
in (a) (a) and
Hs and (b)between
(b) Le Le between ESACCI
ESACCI and CLM_LS
and CLM_LS
(W/m ).
(W/m 22 ).

3.4.
3.4.Response
ResponseofofMicro-Meteorological
Micro-MeteorologicalElements
Elements
The
Themost
mostintuitive impact
intuitive impactononthethe
change in the
change lower
in the boundary
lower conditions
boundary in reality
conditions in reality
and in the model is the change in temperature and humidity. In this section, the distribution
and in the model is the change in temperature and humidity. In this section, the distribu-
of the difference of 2 m air temperature (T2m) and relative humidity (RH) is utilized for
tion of the difference of 2 m air temperature (T2m) and relative humidity (RH) is utilized
analysis.
for analysis.
Figure 7 shows the regional distribution of T2m and RH differences, respectively,
and the distributions of RH shows opposite changes to the T2m. Most of the Eurasian
continent has a negative bias for T2m, and the value is within 0.6 ◦ C. For the densely
distributed cropland areas in the east and south of China, the negative bias is within 0.2 ◦ C.
In Mongolia, there is a clear positive difference of more than 1 ◦ C. The negative difference
center of T2m is found in the central part of Australia and the center of North America;
the negative difference center in central Australia reaches more than 1.2 ◦ C, while the
negative difference center in North America is only about 1 ◦ C. Conversely, there is a
 and the distributions of RH shows opposite changes to the T2m. Most of the Eurasian
continent has a negative bias for T2m, and the value is within 0.6 °C. For the densely dis-
tributed cropland areas in the east and south of China, the negative bias is within 0.2 °C.
In Mongolia, there is a clear positive difference of more than 1 °C. The negative difference
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370
center of T2m is found in the central part of Australia and the center of North12America; of 17
the negative difference center in central Australia reaches more than 1.2 °C, while the neg-
ative difference center in North America is only about 1 °C. Conversely, there is a positive
difference of 1.2°C in the southern region of Australia. Comparing the distribution of the
positive difference of 1.2◦ C in the southern region of Australia. Comparing the distribution
differences in cropland components, these large-value centers are consistent with the ar-
of the differences in cropland components, these large-value centers are consistent with the
eas
areaswith
withlarge-value
large-value differences
differences inincrop
cropcomposition.
composition.ForFor example,
example, the the
areaarea
withwith a large
a large
negative difference of T2m in North America corresponds to a large negative
negative difference of T2m in North America corresponds to a large negative difference indifference
in cropland
cropland components.
components.

◦
Figure 7.
Figure 7. The
Thedifference
differenceofofESACCI
ESACCI and CLM_LS
and for for
CLM_LS (a) (a)
2 m2air
m temperature (T2m,
air temperature unit: unit:
(T2m, C) and
°C)(b)
and (b)
relative humidity (RH, unit: %) (July 2000).
relative humidity (RH, unit: %) (July 2000).
As for the RH, most of the Eurasian continent has a positive bias within 3%. In the
As distributed
densely for the RH,areas
mostofofcropland
the Eurasian
in thecontinent has a of
east and south positive
China, bias
therewithin 3%. In the
is a positive
densely distributed areas of cropland in the east and south of China,
bias within 1%. In Mongolia, there is a clear negative bias of about −4%. The positive there is a positive
bias withincenter
difference 1%. In
of Mongolia,
RH appeared there is acentral
in the clear negative bias of about
part of Australia and the−4%. Theofpositive
center North dif-
ference center of RH appeared in the central part of Australia and
America, and the positive bias between the two places reached more than 4%; the negative the center of North
America,
bias centerand the positive
appeared in the bias between
southern part the two places
of Africa and thereached
westernmore thanarea
coastal 4%;ofthe negative
South
America,
bias centerwith a negative
appeared biassouthern
in the of 4%. Comparing the distribution
part of Africa of cropland
and the western coastalshows
area that
of South
these large-value
America, with a centers arebias
negative consistent
of 4%.with the large-value
Comparing areas of component
the distribution of croplanddifferences.
shows that
For example,
these a large
large-value positive
centers aredifference
consistent forwith
RH in North
the Americaareas
large-value corresponds to a large
of component differ-
negative difference in cropland composition.
ences. For example, a large positive difference for RH in North America corresponds to a
largeCombining Figure 7a,b,
negative difference it can be seen
in cropland that there is a good correlation between the
composition.
distribution of differences in cropland components and the distribution of RH and T2m
Combining Figure 7a,b, it can be seen that there is a good correlation between the
differences, but these relationships are only the results of qualitative analysis, which need
distribution of differences in cropland components and the distribution of RH and T2m
to be confirmed by quantitative analysis results. Contrary to the other variables, T2m and
differences, but these
RH showed larger biasrelationships
during the JJAare only the
seasons for results of qualitative
all bands, analysis,
except that the T2m and whichRH need
are large in the MAM and SON seasons for the boreal regions.
The zonal distribution of differences in T2m and RH between ESACCI and CLM_LS
are also displayed in Figure 8. Generally, the T2m and RH represent reverse changes for all
zonal bands. The differences of land surface make the earth warmer and drier, except for
the boreal region. In the boreal region, the T2m difference is larger during cold seasons.
 to be confirmed by quantitative analysis results. Contrary to the other variables, T2m and
RH showed larger bias during the JJA seasons for all bands, except that the T2m and RH
are large in the MAM and SON seasons for the boreal regions.
The zonal distribution of differences in T2m and RH between ESACCI and CLM_LS
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 13 of 17
are also displayed in Figure 8. Generally, the T2m and RH represent reverse changes for
all zonal bands. The differences of land surface make the earth warmer and drier, except
for the boreal region. In the boreal region, the T2m difference is larger during cold seasons.
While
While forfor the
the other
other regions,
regions, the
the largest
largest T2m
T2m difference
differenceisisfound
foundin
inits
itswarm
warmseasons.
seasons. The
The
largest difference of RH is found in the Northern Equatorial region all through
largest difference of RH is found in the Northern Equatorial region all through the year, the year,
and
and aa larger
largerdifference
differenceofofRHRHisisalso
alsofound
foundin
inthe
theboreal
borealregion
regionduring
duringitsitscold
coldseasons.
seasons.

Figure8.
Figure 8. The
The zonal
zonal distribution
distribution of
of differences
differencesin
in(a)
(a)T2m ◦ C) and
T2m((°C) and (b)
(b) RH
RH (%)
(%) between
between ESACCI
ESACCI and
and
CLM_LS.
CLM_LS.

3.5.
3.5. Response
Response ofof Hydrological
Hydrological Variables
Variables
Hydrological
Hydrological processesare
processes arealso
alsoananimportant
important part of the
part land–atmosphere
of the land–atmosphere interaction,
interac-
so thissopaper
tion, also discusses
this paper hydrological
also discusses variables
hydrological closelyclosely
variables relatedrelated
to vegetation, including
to vegetation, in-
canopy
cludingevaporation and transpiration.
canopy evaporation and transpiration.
Figure
Figure 99 shows
shows thethe spatial
spatial distribution
distribution of of the
the difference
difference forfor canopy
canopy evaporation
evaporation and and
transpiration, respectively. It can be seen that there is a good distribution
transpiration, respectively. It can be seen that there is a good distribution consistency be- consistency
between canopyevaporation
tween canopy evaporationand andtranspiration
transpirationdifferences,
differences, especially
especially in in the
the regions
regions with
with aa
negative difference. The areas with a positive difference of canopy evaporation
negative difference. The areas with a positive difference of canopy evaporation are mainly are mainly
in
in most
mostof ofEurope
Europeand andthe
thenorthern
northernregion
regionofofRussia,
Russia, and
and thethe
central
central and southern
and southernparts
partsof
North America, withwith
the differences in theincenter all around 8 W/m 2 . In contrast, the areas
of North America, the differences the center all around 8 W/m 2. In contrast, the
of positive difference in canopy transpiration are mainly in the southeastern
areas of positive difference in canopy transpiration are mainly in the southeastern part of part of North
America, the northern
North America, part of Eurasia,
the northern part of and East Asia
Eurasia, and South
and East Asia andAsia. The centers
South Asia. The with large
centers
positive differences are located in the central and western regions of Russia
with large positive differences are located in the central and western regions of Russia and and central
North
centralAmerica (in good (in
North America agreement with canopy
good agreement withevaporation), and the positive
canopy evaporation), and thedifferences
positive
reach more than 20 W/m 2.
differences reach more than 20 W/m2.
Atmosphere 2023, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 14 of 18
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 14 of 17

The difference
difference between 2
Figure9.9. The
Figure betweenESACCI
ESACCIand
andCLM_LS
CLM_LSforfor
(a)(a)
evaporation (unit:
evaporation W/m
(unit: ), and
W/m (b) (b)
2), and
transpiration (unit: W/m 2 ) (July 2000).
transpiration (unit: W/m ) (July 2000).
2

Negative difference regions for canopy evaporation and transpiration vary. The
Negative difference regions for canopy evaporation and transpiration vary. The neg-
negative difference area of canopy evaporation is widely distributed on the land at 30◦
ative difference area of canopy evaporation is widely distributed on the land at 30° S~30°
S~30◦ N, among which 0◦ ~10◦ N has a large belt-shaped area with a negative difference of
N, among
canopy which 0°~10°
evaporation N has
(about a large
6 W/m belt-shaped
2 ). Another largearea
valuewith
areaaisnegative
in Mongolia,difference
whereof thecan-
opy evaporation (about 6 W/m 2). Another large value area is in Mongolia,
negative difference of canopy evaporation can reach more than 8 W/m . In contrast, the 2 where the neg-
ative difference
negative differenceof canopy evaporation
area of canopy can reach
transpiration more for
is larger; than 8 W/m southern
example, 2. In contrast, thethe
Africa, neg-
ative difference
eastern area of
coast of South canopyand
America, transpiration
northern Northis larger;
Americaforall
example,
have large southern Africa,
value areas of atthe
eastern
least 12coast
W/mof 2 . South America,
In addition, and northern
compared with the North
negative America all have
difference largeevaporation,
in canopy value areas of
atthe
least 12 W/m
negative . In addition,
difference
2 compared
in canopy with the
transpiration in negative
Mongoliadifference
has a wider in range,
canopyand evapora-
the
negative
tion, differencedifference
the negative is more significant
in canopy(above 20 W/m2in
transpiration ). Mongolia has a wider range, and
Comprehensively
the negative difference is analyzing canopy evaporation
more significant (above 20 W/m and 2transpiration,
). in combination
withComprehensively
the difference in the analyzing canopy evaporation and transpiration,distribution
distribution of cropland components, the different of
in combination
cropland and hydrological variables in East Asia, Europe, and most of
with the difference in the distribution of cropland components, the different distribution the middle and low
oflatitudes
cropland have
anda hydrological
good fit with each other.in East Asia, Europe, and most of the middle and
variables
The zonal distribution of differences in evaporation and transpiration between ESACCI
low latitudes have a good fit with each other.
and CLM_LS are also displayed in Figure 10. Generally, both evaporation and transpiration
The zonal distribution of differences in evaporation and transpiration between
have a large difference during cold seasons in the northern hemisphere. Negative differ-
ESACCI
ences areand
foundCLM_LS are alsoand
for evaporation displayed in Figure
transpiration 10. Generally,
all through both evaporation
the year, except for the borealand
transpiration have a large difference during cold seasons in the northern hemisphere.
Negative differences are found for evaporation and transpiration all through the year,
except for the boreal regions. The boreal evaporation has positive differences all through
the year, especially in its cold seasons.
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 15 of 17

Atmosphere 2023, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 15 of 18

regions. The boreal evaporation has positive differences all through the year, especially in
its cold seasons.

Figure10.
Figure 10.The
Thezonal
zonaldistribution
distribution
of of differences
differences in (a)
in (a) evaporation
evaporation 2 ) and
(W/m
(W/m 2) and (b) transpiration
(b) transpiration
(W/m 22 ) between ESACCI and
(W/m ) between ESACCI and CLM_LS. CLM_LS.

When
Whenthe the land
land surface changes, the the first
firsteffect
effectisiscanopy
canopydensity
densitythat
that affects
affects thethe
solar
solar radiation reaching the ground, as well as long-wave radiation and
radiation reaching the ground, as well as long-wave radiation and net radiation simulta- net radiation
simultaneously.
neously. With the With the change
change of energy
of energy entered
entered intointo
the the land
land surface,
surface, thethe distributiontotosen-
distribution
sensible heat
sible heat fluxand
flux andlatent
latentheat
heatflux
flux will
will also
also change,
change,asasa aresult influence
result influencethethe
temperature
temperature
and relative humidity. Furthermore, the change of canopy density will
and relative humidity. Furthermore, the change of canopy density will also influence also influencesto-
stomatal conductivity, and finally influence evapotranspiration of
matal conductivity, and finally influence evapotranspiration of vegetation. vegetation.

4. Discussion and Conclusions

4. Discussion and Conclusions
This paper studies the differences of absorbed solar radiation, reflected solar radiation,
This paper
net longwave studies sensible/latent
radiation, the differences heat of absorbed solar radiation,
fluxes, relative humidity,reflected
and 2 msolar radia-
air tem-
tion, net as
perature, longwave radiation,
well as canopy sensible/latent
evaporation heat fluxes,
and transpiration relative
caused humidity,
by different and 2 m air
underlying
temperature, as well as canopy evaporation and transpiration caused
surfaces in the Community Land Model, to analyze the impact of the uncertainty of remoteby different under-
lying surfaces in the Community Land Model, to analyze the impact
sensing data on different climate variables. The main conclusions are as follows. of the uncertainty of
remote sensing data on different climate variables. The main conclusions are as follows.
1. The proportion of cropland distribution in ESACCI data is essentially larger than that
1. in The proportion
CLM_LS data of cropland
globally, anddistribution
it can reachin ESACCI
more datalocally.
than 50% is essentially larger than that
2. in CLM_LS data globally, and it can reach more than
The model concluded that the difference in parameters is related 50% locally.
to the difference in
2. cropland
The model concluded that the difference in parameters is related
distribution, and the difference in absorbed solar radiation and to the difference
sensible heat in
cropland
flux has andistribution,
obvious response and the
to thedifference
differenceininabsorbed
cropland solar radiation and sensible
distribution.
3. heat flux has
Differences in an
theobvious response
distribution to the difference
of cropland bring aboutin different
croplanddegrees
distribution.
of changes
3. in Differences in the distribution
climate parameters. of cropland
The uncertainty of thebring
data about
can bedifferent degrees
transmitted to theofmodel
changes
operation
in climateprocess through
parameters. theuncertainty
The data themselves,
of thewhich
data brings
can beuncertainty
transmitted to to
thethe
model
model
results and affects the climate simulation.
operation process through the data themselves, which brings uncertainty to the
model work
Future resultswill
andmainly
affects focus
the climate
on (i) simulation.
introducing more observational data, such
as GlobCover dataset,
Future work willMODIS
mainly dataset,
focus onand FAO dataset,more
(i) introducing etc., to analyze the data,
observational impact of as
such
uncertainty
GlobCoverof different
dataset, datasets
MODIS on model
dataset, andsimulation results;
FAO dataset, etc.,(ii) extending
to analyze thethe data period
impact of uncer-
for analysis,
tainty that is, datasets
of different not only on
analyzing the impact of
model simulation the uncertainty
results; of the
(ii) extending thecropland data for
data period
analysis, that is, not only analyzing the impact of the uncertainty of the cropland data set
itself on the model simulated climate, but also considering the impact of the uncertainty
of LUCC on the uncertainty caused by models; and (iii) coupling with atmospheric models
to analyze the feedback effect between underlying surface changes and climate change.
Atmosphere 2023, 14, 370 16 of 17

set itself on the model simulated climate, but also considering the impact of the uncertainty
of LUCC on the uncertainty caused by models; and (iii) coupling with atmospheric models
to analyze the feedback effect between underlying surface changes and climate change.

Author Contributions: Formal analysis and investigation, X.L. and H.G.; conceptualization, X.L.;
methodology, X.L. and H.G.; writing—original draft preparation, X.L., J.G. and Z.T.; writing—review
and editing, X.L., H.G., J.G., W.L. and Z.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version
of the manuscript.
Funding: This work was jointly funded by the National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFA0604304),
the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42075114, 41705101), the Priority Academic
Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (140119001), and the General Project
of Modern Agriculture from the Primary R&D Program of Xuzhou (KC21132).
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: The European Space Agency CCI land cover dataset are available in
section “land cover” at https://www.esa-landcover-cci.org/ (accessed on 16 December 2022).
Acknowledgments: We would like to thank the editor and the anonymous reviewers for exception-
ally thoughtful reviews and suggestions that greatly improved this paper.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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