IGN 3
Ecology in Earth System Models: What’s Missing and Why Is It Important?

Tuesday, August 11, 2015: 8:00 AM-9:30 AM
345, Baltimore Convention Center
Organizer:
Stan D. Wullschleger, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Co-organizer:
Lara Kueppers, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California Merced
Moderator:
Jeff Chambers, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Earth System Models are sophisticated simulation tools that capture our understanding of ecology and its role in determining critical ecosystem feedbacks to climate. This understanding is, unfortunately, often incomplete. Uncertainties can arise from insufficient knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological mechanisms involved in the climate system and from poor or inadequate representation of ecosystem structure and function. If our predictive capabilities are to improve, we must ask what ecology is missing from Earth System Models and, more importantly, we must be prepared to evaluate the benefits that might be derived through the inclusion of new processes into future models. We propose to host a dynamic and engaging exchange of ideas among members of the ecological and modeling communities to share ideas for improved integration of empirical data and knowledge into models. The session will be aimed at flora and fauna with the goal of advancing a systems understanding of terrestrial ecosystems and their role in global environmental change.
 Running before we can walk
Anthony Walker, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
 Fine roots in models: The answer to life, the universe, and everything
Colleen M. Iversen, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; M. Luke McCormack, University of Minnesota; Jeffrey M. Warren, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Jennifer L. Trumbo, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; A. Shafer Powell, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Stan D. Wullschleger, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
 Representing life in the Earth system
Will R. Wieder, National Center for Atmospheric Research; Danica Lombardozzi, National Center for Atmospheric Research; Cory C. Cleveland, University of Montana; Gordon Bonan, NCAR
 Incorporating microbial details into ecosystem models
Kathleen K. Treseder, University of California, Irvine
 Why Earth system modelers should care about microbial ecology
Steven D. Allison, University of California
 Why Earth system modelers should care about land-water interactions
Jennifer M. Fraterrigo, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Paul C. Hanson, University of Wisconsin; Stuart E. Jones, University of Notre Dame
 Scaling plant physiology for Earth System Models (ESMs)
Shawn P. Serbin, Stony Brook University; Alistair Rogers, Brookhaven National Laboratory
 "Missing" forests: Including seasonally dry tropical forests in models
David M. Medvigy, Princeton University; Xiangtao Xu, Princeton University; Justin Becknell, University of Alabama; Jennifer S. Powers, University of Minnesota
 Adding animals to the equation: Trophic interactions mediate carbon cycling in arctic tundra
Natalie Boelman, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University; Laura Gough, University of Texas at Arlington; Kevin L. Griffin, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University; Jennie R. McLaren, University of Texas at El Paso; Edward Rastetter, Marine Biological Laboratory; Rebecca J. Rowe, University of New Hampshire
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