The representation of the vegetation’s root zone in climate models

Dr Fransje van Oorschot, Delft University of Technology

  • Data: 23 novembre 2021 dalle 12:00 alle 14:00

  • Luogo: Aula 1.4 - Viale del Risorgimento 2 - Bologna; online su Teams

Teams link​

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MmE5NzQyZTAtYTNmZi00NjAzLWIyZGYtN2Q4Njc0NTI1YmQ3%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22e99647dc-1b08-454a-bf8c-699181b389ab%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%225d1c3b1a-ccd4-4495-9980-3af3467ffe56%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d&btype=a&role=a

Short Bio

Fransje van Oorschot is a 2nd year PhD Candidate at Delft University of Technology, at the department of Water management, where she also obtained her MSc degree. Her PhD research focuses on the representation of vegetation in climate models from a hydrological perspective. In Delft we focus on the hydrological representation of vegetation in models and we collaborate with ISAC-CNR in Bologna (where she is currently working) for expertise on global land surface modelling using EC-EARTH. 

Abstract

Vegetation controls the partitioning of precipitation into evaporation and runoff by transporting water through the roots back to the atmosphere. Vegetation is highly dynamic and adapts it’s root system in a way it can access sufficient water. However, most state-of-the-art climate models use a fixed representation of this water store and therefore do not account for the dynamics in root development. In this research we aim to better understand the root zone water store at ecosystem scales that is used for vegetation transpiration. In this perspective we are developing a climate controlled, dynamic representation of the vegetation’s root zone in order to improve water and energy flux simulations by land surface models.