Coupled weather-biosphere model (WRF-VPRM) response to extreme land cover scenarios over Ganga basin: a cross-component analysis

Abstract

Deforestation can have both biophysical and biochemical effects. In our study we evaluate the impacts of extreme idealized land cover scenarios over Ganga basin, India using an online coupled weather-biosphere model. We present an analysis of the carbon stored, based on introduced afforestation (AFF) and deforestation (DEF) in the Ganga basin of India. WRF-VPRM model simulations were carried out at horizontal resolution of 20 km using optimized downscaling configuration. For DEF case, we found two-fold increase in surface temperatures whereas, AFF scenario exhibited cooling effect. The average carbon sequestration capability for AFF was 0.3 g C m−2 day−1 more than control run (CTL). The CTL simulations exhibited carbon sequestration capability of −0.15 g C m−2 day−1 which for a year accounts for around 59.3 Mt C yr−1. AFF scenario showed relative increase in net sequestration compared to DEF scenario. Most importantly, the model simulations showed that the croplandscan increase net carbon sequestration rather than just deciduous forest type. Our study highlights the possible effects of land use management practices on atmospheric CO2 variability.