Carbon dynamics of grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau simulated by Biome-BGCMuSo (1979-2018)

This dataset is grounded in the hypothesis that carbon dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems are differentially influenced by individual and combined environmental drivers, including climate change, CO₂ fertilization, precipitation variability, temperature shifts, and anthropogenic activities (e.g., grazing). By simulating 9 distinct scenarios, the study aims to quantify the relative contributions of isolated drivers (e.g., CO₂, temperature) versus synergistic effects (e.g., CO₂ + climate change) on carbon pools and fluxes.

Simulation Framework
• Model: Biome-BGCMuSo v6.1, a process-based model integrating vegetation dynamics, soil biogeochemistry, and grazing.
• Scenarios: Nine scenarios were simulated under identical initial conditions:
i. Control: Baseline conditions (no perturbations).
ii. Clim: Climate change (temperature + precipitation changes).
iii. CO2: Elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration.
iv. CO2Clim: Combined CO₂ and climate change.
v. Grazing: Changed grazing intensity.
vi. Overall: Integration of all drivers (CO₂, climate, grazing).
vii. Prec: Changed Precipitation.
viii. Temp: Changed Temperature.
ix. NO_Grazing: No grazing.

• Variables: Each scenario outputs seven carbon-related variables:
o Biomass: Above- and belowground live plant biomass (g C m⁻²).
o LTRC: Litter carbon pool (g C m⁻²).
o NPP: Net Primary Productivity (g C m⁻² yr⁻¹).
o SOC: Soil organic carbon above 1 m soil depth (g C m⁻²).
o TOTC: Total ecosystem carbon (sum of vegetation, litter, and soil) (g C m⁻²).
o TOTSOC: Total soil carbon (including multiple soil layers if applicable) (g C m⁻²).
o VEGC: Vegetation carbon (woody and non-woody components) (g C m⁻²).

Model-related grazing data:
Name Description Units
LargeLivestock_Inventory Large animal stock (cattle, horses, etc.) absolute number of animals per pixel
LargeLivestock_Slaughter Large animal slaughter volumes absolute number of animals per pixel
SheepGoat_Inventory Sheep & goat combined stock absolute number of animals per pixel
SheepGoat_Slaughter Sheep & goat combined slaughter volumes absolute number of animals per pixel
StockDensity_Winter Winter pasture stocking density head/km² (sheep-equivalent units)
StockDensity_Summer Summer pasture stocking density head/km² (sheep-equivalent units)

Seasonal pasture distribution
Four composite classes:
• Winter-Steppe • Winter-Meadow
• Summer-Steppe • Summer-Meadow

Temporal and Spatial Scope
• Time Period: Simulations span 1979–2018 with annual resolution.
• Geographic Coverage: Grasslands in the Tibetan Plateau.