On the use of a simple deciduous forest model for the interpretation of climate change effects at the level of carbon dynamics

Abstract

Abstract In this publication an approach is described to model the Net Carbon Exchange (NCE) between the vegetated surface—atmosphere interface of a deciduous forest. In that context it is not only important to simulate effects of climatology (temperature, CO 2 ) on forest evolution, but also to evaluate its NCE. For climatological conditions representative for the mid latitudes the influences of changes in atmospheric temperature and CO 2 levels are simulated. Four compartments are defined in the model, two compartments simulating phytomass functional elements with large temporal biomass fluctuations (green compartment) and phytomass temporal fluctuations that are relatively small (non-green compartment). The litter compartment is also incorporated in the model and its fluxes evaluated. Model runs were executed for two CO 2 scenarios and a climatological record reconstructed for the period covering 1833 till 1989 at a latitude and longitude of 51°N, 2.5°E. It has to be remarked that the addition of 4.5°C to a climatological record for all seasons is a simplification when simulating the effects of a temperature rise. The model outcome however suggests that the CO 2 mixing ratio rate increase after World War II (WW II) has induced a phytomass increase in young forests. The constraints of the model and its application in Remote Sensing-derived data sets is discussed.