Global CMIP6-based datasets of vegetation-responsive and feedback-deflated potential evapotranspiration (PETveg and WETveg)

This dataset provides global gridded estimates of vegetation-responsive potential evapotranspiration (PETveg) and its feedback-deflated counterpart (WETveg), derived consistently from 12 Earth System Models (ESMs) participating in CMIP6. PETveg is computed using a physically and physiologically based two-source Penman–Monteith formulation that explicitly accounts for evolving leaf area index (LAI), atmospheric CO2 concentration, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) through dynamic aerodynamic and surface resistance terms. WETveg is subsequently obtained by applying the Complementary Evaporation Principle (CEP) to PETveg, reconstructing the atmospheric state over a saturated surface to remove land–atmosphere feedback amplification while retaining identical radiative forcing. The dataset spans the historical period (1850–2014) and four future Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5) for 2015–2100. All variables are provided as monthly accumulations scaled to daily rates [mm d-1] on a common 1°×1° regular latitude–longitude grid in NetCDF format, with ocean grid cells masked. These datasets offer internally consistent yet physically distinct representations of atmospheric evaporative demand, enabling transparent evaluation of PET formulation uncertainty in hydrological, ecological, and climate-impact studies.