Global Land/Atmosphere System Study (GLASS)A new generation of land surface schemes (LSS) is emerging. The schemes are evolving from general circulation model parameterizations that provide fluxes to the atmosphere into independent models that are increasingly being compared to models of hydrology, biogeochemistry and ecology. This expanding scope is driven by the growth of interdisciplinary studies of the earth system. GLASS aims to encourage these developments by coordinating the evaluation and intercomparison of this new generation of LSSs, and applying them to scientific queries of broad interest.GLASS will also serve as an interface between the land-surface community and other GEWEX projects. The proposed structure of GLASS (see figure below) highlights the spatial scales at which the schemes are applied and the degree of interaction allowed with the atmosphere. This denotes four actions which will coordinate intercomparisons in their field of land-surface scheme applications. GLASS will also include one transversal action [Assistance for Land-surface Modelling Activities (ALMA)] which will provide an infrastructure and technical support for these intercomparisons. The action dedicated to local scales and off-line simulations is the continuation of the GEWEX Project for the Intercomparison of Land-Surface Parameterization Schemes (PILPS).
For More Information
Points of ContactProf. Andrew Pitman,
Co-chair Dr. Bart van den Hurk, Co-chair |
