NUMERICAL-MODELS OF THE TERRESTRIAL BIOSPHERE

Many efforts have been made to develop numerical models of biospheric processes in recent years. Generally speaking, three classes of global terrestrial biosphere models have emerged: (1) soil-vegetation-atmosp here transfer (SVAT) models, (2) terrestrial biogeochemistry models (T BMs), and (3) potential vegetation models (PVMs). In this manuscript, I summarize the main characteristics of these models and discuss the n eed for a more fully integrated biosphere model, which would combine a spects of (1), (2) and (3) in a single modelling framework.