Project C.1:   Model Coordination

• Team Members
• Objectives
• Strategy
• Relevance
• Outputs
• Outcomes
• Sub-projects

• Australian Continental NPPComparison Workshop Report (April 2002)
• COntinental INtegration Shell (COINS)
• CRC Metadatabase of Environmental Datasets

Research objectives

• Develop & maintain a software modelling shell within which a range of terrestrial carbon models may be implemented (at spatial scales ranging from patch to continent)
• Use the software above as a tool for improving knowledge of the Australian terrestrial carbon cycle.
• Maintain a database of best national-scale data, and to provide other data-related services to CRC participants; and
• Maintain any "public tools" provided by the CRC, including the development of a simplified Australian carbon cycle for educational and public explanatory purposes

Strategy

• Sub-project C.1.1 Model Integration
• Sub-project C.1.2 Data support
• Sub-project C.1.3 Public access and application tools

Relevance

Modelling and data collection activities are occurring throughout the CRC. This project seeks to maintain links and coordination between these various efforts in the CRC through the development of integrated modelling software and data-management tools, and through communication of these resources to other CRC participants.

The development of data-management tools and educational software will further contribute to the communication and outreach activities of the CRC.

Outputs

• An integrating software shell for housing a range of carbon cycle models, and use of this software for the quantification of carbon stocks and fluxes across a range of spatial and temporal scales.
• A series of internal publications summarising a range of CRC activities, including registers of research activities, the various modelling approaches being adopted within the CRC, and the collation and documentation of carbon-relevant data.
• Development of software for use in educational and other outreach activities.

Outcomes

• Greater efficiency in developing inter-comparable models leading to an enhanced modelling capacity for carbon accounting in Australia.

Sub-project C.1.1 Model Integration

Our vision is to develop a software framework within which a combination of models will be harnessed to provide best estimates of Australia’s carbon stocks and fluxes, to support the national greenhouse gas inventory, and to assess the impacts of climate change on the terrestrial carbon cycle. Computer models of the terrestrial carbon cycle applied at a range of spatial scales provide the mechanism to integrate measurements of C pools and provide estimates of continental carbon stocks and fluxes. These estimates will be for the past, present and the future where the effects of global warming and CO₂ fertilization will affect the national carbon cycle. Disturbances such as fire will be included where possible.

We propose to develop and implement a tool for facilitating the comparison and integration of the developing Australian models, including those used in NCAS, as well as some of the available international models. This tool, the "Carbon Modelling Integration Shell" (COINS) is proposed to provide the software infrastructure to facilitate the running of various models at patch, landscape and continental scales. The aim is to provide a high degree of automation and ability to readily compare model output data for standard and scenario-based runs, as will be the capability for sensitivity analysis. The softwareshell will also prototype a mechanism to provide model output in a tabular inventory-like form and, where possible, support the development of the NCAS.

The development of COINS will facilitate model inter-comparison particularly at regional to continental scales to determine where and why models differ in their outputs and also introduce a mechanism to combine the most suitable models. The rigorous comparison of results against the outputs of various international models will help support Australia in international negotiations as these types of models are increasingly used in carbon accounting.

Sub-project C.1.2 Data support

Fortunately, there is an expanding range of data sets available at the continental and point scale. However, these data sets are not well known or readily available to all modellers and other researchers.

We propose to initially document the location and availability of such data sets (with emphasis on continental-scale data) and make this meta-data available to data users across the CRC.

Sub-project C.1.3 Public access and application tools

It is proposed that this project facilitates the production and use of a simplified model of the Australian carbon cycle. Such a model could be used in teaching and for public communication of the carbon cycle.