QUEST
Earth system modelling strategy
This document is the outcome of a discussion meeting held in London on 21 September 2004, updated on the basis of subsequent correspondence (final revision 17 November 2004).
It represents a clear consensus on major aspects of the Earth system modelling (ESM) strategy to be adopted by QUEST.
-
Models working at different levels of spatial, temporal and process resolution are seen as complementary. Higher-resolution AOGCMs represent our best shot at including process information, and are favoured for simulations of contemporary and future conditions as well as time-slice simulations of past climates. Lower-resolution models (EMICs) represent the only way to perform long transient simulations of changes in the Earth system, and are invaluable for increasing understanding by exploring the climatic phase space.
-
QUEST will accordingly promote a spectrum of ESMs with emphasis on traceability between models at different levels of spatial, temporal and process resolution. The higher-resolution models will be based on a single family of Hadley Centre AOGCMs. Lower-resolution models will be more diverse, derived from EMICs developed by the GENIE project; explicit parameter optimization methods will be used to link their behaviour to that of the higher-resolution models.
-
Modules will be developed to express the interactions of the physical climate system and the biosphere through physical coupling, carbon cycling, and atmospheric chemistry, taking into account current research on terrestrial and marine biosphere processes and models, and on the biospheric sources and sinks of key reactive compounds and aerosol precursors. Scalability will be a key design feature for all modules.
-
The PRISM-FLUME-IAM software framework will be used wherever possible and appropriate to facilitate the exchange of modules at all levels in the spectrum.
-
Higher-resolution development work will be focused at the intermediate level represented by FAMOUS (an accelerated member of the HADCM3 family). Initial work using FAMOUS will lead on to the development of a new model at similar spatial resolution but compatible with the HADGEM family, which represents the state-of-the-art of climate modelling in the UK. A single contract to a central modelling node should fund this work, including subcontracts to satellite nodes that will be closely linked to the projects to be funded by QUEST theme 1. This work will be closely co-ordinated with the Hadley Centre.
-
No decision regarding the funding for lower-resolution modelling will be taken until the outcome of the current NERC e-science funding round is known. The QUEST Theme 2 AO will be deferred for the same reason.
-
Later activities under the ESM umbrella are likely to include development of a socio-economic module, in co-operation with the Tyndall Centre, engaging projects funded by QUEST Theme 3, and a 'model experiment' activity using the models developed to address key scientific issues for QUEST.
-
A small steering group for QUEST ESM will be formed, including people working at different locations along the model resolution spectrum.