G. Wohlfahrt et al., A multi-component, multi-species model of vegetation-atmosphere CO2 and energy exchange for mountain grasslands, AGR FOR MET, 106(4), 2001, pp. 261-287
A model is presented which allows simulation of vegetation-atmosphere CO2 a
nd energy exchange of multi-component. multi-species canopies. explicitly t
aking into account the structural and functional properties of the various
components and species. The model is parameterised for a meadow and an aban
doned area at the ECOMONT study area Monte Bondone (1500 m a.s.l., Trento/I
taly). A series of sensitivity tests showed the model to be sensitive to ve
getation optical and physiological properties, but not to soil optical prop
erties. dwarf shrub bole respiration parameters and phytoelement inclinatio
n and width. Validation of canopy CO2 and energy exchange rates against the
respective fluxes measured by the means of the Bowen-ratio-energy-balance
method yields broadly satisfactory results. Though it proves difficult to v
alidate canopy latent and sensible heat flux, due to the fact that the vege
tation-atmosphere-transfer model does not include contributions by the soil
, whereas measured fluxes do, indicating both the need for further model de
velopment as well as experimental studies. Finally, the model is used to te
st for the effects of simplifications in input data likely to occur when be
ing applied at larger spatial and/or temporal scales. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci
ence B.V. All rights reserved.