Integrated BIosphere Simulator (IBIS) Data Set

The Earth's terrestrial (land-based) ecosystems are critically important to the
welfare of humankind. Food, fiber, fresh water, medicines, and forest products
are all derived from our terrestrial ecosystems. In addition, terrestrial
ecosystems play a central role in regulating the biogeochemical and climate
systems of this planet.

To better understand ecological processes, and to evaluate their response to
human activity, our research team is developing IBIS (the Integrated Biosphere
Simulator) a comprehensive computer model of the Earth's terrestrial
ecosystems.

IBIS simulates a wide variety of ecosystem processes, including

-energy, water, and carbon dioxide exchange between plants, the atmosphere,
and the soil

-physiological processes of plants and soil organisms, including
photosynthesis and respiration

-seasonal changes of vegetation, including spring budburst, fall
senescence, and winter dormancy

-plant growth and plant competition

-nutrient cycling and soil processes

IBIS is one of the few computer models to incorporate this range of processes
in a single framework.

The Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE) is currently
using the model to study how ecosystems respond to changes in land use and
climate. SAGE will continue to test the IBIS model against detailed field
measurements collected from ecosystems around the world.

Because this dataset is very large, it is available on CD only.

[Summary provided by SAGE.]