Land Surface Climatology of NCAR LSM coupled to CCM3

The NCAR Land Surface Model (NCAR LSM version 1.0) replaces prescribed surface wetness, prescribed snow cover, surface albedo, and surface flux parameterizations previously used in the NCAR Community Climate Model version 2 (CCM2), thereby fully accounting for the land surface processes for CCM3. The model's land surface climate was documented using a 15 year fully coupled atmosphere (CCM3) and land (NCAR LSM 1.0) simulation for the study period of December 1978 to September 1993. Analyzing surface air temperatures, precipitation and soil water, the model successfully simulates geographic and seasonal patterns. However, Spring and Autumn were better simulated than Winter and Summer, and precipitation was better simulated than runoff. Due primarily to the inclusion of net land-atmosphere CO2 exchange, the model is well suited for studies of the global carbon cycle. The model simulates (1) a well defined growing season based on temperature and soil water, and (2) annual net primary production consistent with other estimates.