Geoscientific Model Development Discussions www.geosci-model-dev-discuss.net 1991-9611 1991-962X 3 1 2010 10.5194/gmdd-3-1-2010 http://www.geosci-model-dev-discuss.net/3/1/2010/ http://www.geosci-model-dev-discuss.net/3/1/2010/gmdd-3-1-2010.html http://www.geosci-model-dev-discuss.net/3/1/2010/gmdd-3-1-2010.pdf 1 59 2010-01-15 Implementation and evaluation of a new methane model within a dynamic global vegetation model: LPJ-WHyMe v1.3 R. Wania rita@wania.net I. Ross I. C. Prentice Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol, BS8 1RJ, UK School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK QUEST, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol, BS8 1RJ, UK now at: School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 3055, Victoria, BC, V8W 3V6, Canada now at: Mathematics and Statistics, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 3060 STN CSC, Victoria, BC, V8W 3R4, Canada For the first time, a model that simulates methane emissions from northern peatlands is incorporated directly into a dynamic global vegetation model. The model, LPJ-WHyMe (LPJ-<i>W</i>etland <i>Hy</i>drology and <i>Me</i>thane), was previously modified in order to simulate peatland hydrology, permafrost dynamics and peatland vegetation. LPJ-WHyMe simulates methane emissions using a mechanistic approach, although the use of some empirical relationships and parameters is unavoidable. The model simulates methane production, three pathways of methane transport (diffusion, plant-mediated transport and ebullition) and methane oxidation. Two sensitivity tests were conducted, first to identify the most important factors influencing methane emissions and secondly to justify the choice of parameters. A comparison of model results to observations from seven sites revealed in general good agreement but also highlighted some problems. 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