December 17, 2018
Feature

Restoring Rain to a Model Amazon Forest

Simulations reveal terrestrial factors and airflow as contributors to climate model challenges in producing rainfall over the world's largest rainforest.

The complex topography of the Amazon and its coastlines affect airflow near the surface

The complex topography of the Amazon and its coastlines affect airflow near the surface, deflecting winds that, in turn, control where water vapor converges to produce clouds and rain.

The Science

Most global climate models are unable to accurately simulate rainfall over the Amazon forest, but the reasons are not well understood. To investigate this question, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory analyzed more than 20 different simulations from Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1). They found that the complex topography and coastlines surrounding the Amazon change the airflow that influences water vapor, temperature, and convection in the region. By modifying the model to more directly reflect the effects of airflow on convection, the team found they could more closely simulate the observed Amazon rainfall.

The Impact

The vast Amazon forest has significant influence on global climate, cycling large amounts of water and carbon between the atmosphere and the terrestrial system. Forest productivity depends in large part on rainfall, and the limitations of climate models in reflecting the Amazon rainfall has left a large uncertainty in projecting future changes of the forest as well as global climate. Identifying factors that affect airflow in the Amazon helps researchers improve models of rainfall for the region and builds greater confidence in understanding future changes of global climate.

Reference: K. Sakaguchi, L.R. Leung, C.D. Burleyson, H. Xiao, and H. Wan, "Role of Troposphere-Convection-Land Coupling in the Southwestern Amazon Precipitation Bias of the Community Earth System Model Version 1 (CESM1)." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 123:8374-8399 (2018). [DOI: 10.1029/2018JD028999].

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About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory draws on its distinguishing strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology and data science to advance scientific knowledge and address challenges in sustainable energy and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, which is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE’s Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science. For more information on PNNL, visit PNNL's News Center. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Published: December 17, 2018