APPLICATION OF A LAND SURFACE MODEL FOR STUDYING THE ROLE OF BOREAL SPRUCE FOREST IN LAND SURFACE-ATMOSPHERE INTERACTIONS

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the impact of boreal spruce forest on heat and water exchange between the land surface and the atmosphere by means of an advanced land surface model SWAP, which adequately treats the energy balance and hydrology of boreal forests and non-forested areas. The work is based on model results and observations obtained during 18 years (1966-1983) at the Tayozhniy catchment (covered by boreal forest, mainly composed of spruce) and the Usadievskiy catchment (grassland), both situated in the central part of the Valdai Hills, Russia. The results of model simulations for the forested and non-forested catchments were compared to reveal the role of the spruce forest in land surface-atmosphere interactions. The main emphasis was on the cold season processes, since these have received less attention in land surface modelling.