Community Land Model version 4.5 (CLM4.5) simulations of water, energy, and carbon fluxes for Saddle vegetation communities, 2008 - 2013

Single point simulations of CLM4.5 that include (1) forcing data that were input to the model and subsequent (2) model output for simulations that approximate conditions in fellfield, dry meadow, moist meadow, wet meadow, and snowbed vegetation communities. Forcing data were generated with observed atmospheric conditions from Tvan, Saddle precipitation, and incoming shortwave radiation measured from the AmeriFlux tower site (US-NR1) from 2008-2013. Wintertime precipitation inputs were modified to approximate average snow depth for each vegetation community observed across the Saddle grid. Land models, like CLM, provide a cohesive framework to investigate biogeophysical and biogeochemical effects of environmental change on ecosystem processes. We used CLM4.5 to investigate if a global-scale model can represent local-scale patterns of water, energy, and carbon fluxes in a heterogeneous mountain environment. Specifically, we were interested in generating testable projections of potential ecosystem responses to climate change. Model output includes half-hourly data on fluxes of energy, water, and carbon, as well as vegetation carbon stocks and edaphic conditions. We also conducted sensitivity analyses to look at ecosystem responses to modifications intended to extend growing season length by decreasing snow albedo and warming air temperatures (black sand and M-A warm, respectively). Information on the variables, units, and data are included as attributed in the network Common Data Form (NetCDF) files for this dataset. For users unfamiliar with using NetCDF files, we have included R scripts that write (forcing data) and read (model output) .nc files include in this data archive. More information about NetCDF files is available at http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf/docs/index.html.