Land-Surface Atmosphere Interactions: Technology: Noah-MP LSM

LAND-SURFACE MODELING: the Noah-MP land surface model

Noah-MP LSM

Noah-MP is a land surface model (LSM) using multiple options for key land-hydrology processes. Noah-MP contains a separate vegetation canopy defined by a canopy top and bottom; crown radius; and leaves with prescribed dimensions, orientation, density, and radiometric properties. The canopy employs a two-stream radiation transfer approach along with shading effects necessary to achieve proper surface energy and water transfer processes including under-canopy snow processes. Noah-MP contains a multi-layer snow pack with liquid water storage and melt/refreeze capability and a snow-interception model describing loading/unloading, melt/refreeze capability, and sublimation of canopy-intercepted snow. Multiple options are available for: 1) surface water infiltration and runoff and groundwater transfer and storage including water table depth to an unconfined aquifer, 2) dynamic vegetation, 3) canopy resistance, 4) and frozen soil physics. The Ball-Berry photosynthesis-based stomatal resistance with a dynamic vegetation model allocates carbon to various parts of vegetation (leaf, stem, wood and root) and soil carbon pools (fast and slow). The model is capable of distinguishing between C_3 and C_4 photosynthesis pathways and defines vegetation-specific parameters for plant photosynthesis and respiration. This advanced LSM mitigates deficiencies identified in treating interactions among vegetation, soil, hydrology, snow, and long-term soil state evolution in current Noah LSM.

Noah-MP LSM References

  • Niu, G.-Y., et al. (2011), The community Noah land surface model with multiparameterization options (Noah-MP): 1. Model description and evaluation with local-scale measurements. J. Geophys. Res., 116, D12109, doi: 10.1029/2010JD015139.

Noah-MP Version 1.1 (as implemented in WRFv3.4.1)

Noah-MP Version 1.0 (as implemented in WRFv3.4)

  • Noah-MP LSM Version 1.0 code -- April 2012
  • Offline 1D Noah-MP LSM v1.0 driver program (with sample dataset) -- April 2012
  • Offline 2D driver code: High-Resolution Land Data Assimilation System (HRLDAS)
    • Gzipped tar file: coming soon...
    • Draft documentation: coming soon...

Noah-MP (and Noah) Run-time Tables for Vegetation and Soil Parameters

Background Surface Fields

Comparisons of Noah-MP versions: Results from the simple 1D drivers for Bondville.

Comparisons of Noah-MP to Noah: Results from the simple 1D drivers for Bondville.