A Simple Biosphere

Model(SiB) for Use

within General
Circulation Models

Abstract
This model although simple but realistic is developed for calculating
transfer of energy, mass and momentum between the atmosphere
and the vegetated surface of the earth.

Ctd.
In each terrestrial model vegetation is represented by two layers
upper one contains perennial canopy of trees or shrubs. And lower
one contains annual ground cover of grasses.

Refer http://vudeevudeewiki.blogspot.in/

Assumption
Although the individual vegetation cover and its root system are unevenly
spread locally, we assume them to be evenly spread and the root system are
assumed to extend uniformly throughout the entire grid area.

Variables in Simple Biosphere

model(SiB)
Two temperature
Canopy
Ground cover

Two interception water stores

Canopy
Ground cover

Three soil moisture stores

Two which can reached by vegetation root system
Underlying recharge layer( moisture only transferred by gravitational drainage and
hydraulic diffusion)

GCM(Global Circulation Models)

1. Amathematical modelof the general circulation of a
planetaryatmosphereor ocean and based on theNavierStokes
equationson a rotating sphere withthermodynamicterms for various
energy sources
2. Energy sources considered are radiation and latent heat
3. GCMs and global climate models are widely applied forweather
forecasting, understanding theclimate, and projectingclimate change

TYPES OF GCM
OGCM
The OGCM predicts the evolution of ocean horizontal and vertical velocity,
temperature, and salinity fields globally over the full depth of the ocean.

AGCM

BUCKET MODEL
Level of water is lowered when evaporation exceeds precipitation, and is
raised when precipitation is larger, up to the point at which the bucket
overflows and produces runoff.

Drawback
The plants are assumed to be sponge like sheets, acting as a
pervious layer.

Physical and Physiological properties of

vegetation are considered as it determines
The reflection, transmission, absorption and emission(of direct and diffused
radiation in visible , near infrared and thermal region)
Interception of rainfall and evaporation from leaf.
The infiltration, drainage and storage of the residual of rainfall and in the soil
Photosynthetically active radiation, often abbreviated PAR, designates the
spectral range (wave band) of solar radiation from 400 to 700 nanometers that
photosynthetic organisms are able to use in the process of photosynthesis.
(source Wikipedia) depends on plants to plants. And the soil moisture potential
as it controls stomatal functioning therefore the transfer of water from soil to
atmosphere.
The aerodynamic transfer of water vapor, sensible heat and momentum from
vegetation and soil to a reference level within the atmospheric boundary layer.

The structure of Model

The morphological and physiological characteristics of the vegetation is used
to find the coefficients that govern the momentum, radiation and heat fluxes
between surface and atmosphere.
1. Air temperature vapor pressure and wind speed
2. GCM considers grid area average values of air temperature water vapor
pressure and wind speed within the atmospheric boundary layer.
3. Components of incident radiation
4. Visible : <0.72um direct beam radiation