Simulating near-equilibrium climate and vegetation for 6000 cal. years BP

Abstract

The response of a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model to insolation representative of 6000 years ago has been studied with a set of 1000-year quasi-equilibrium simulations. Comparison with similar experiments with an uncoupled atmosphere general circulation model demonstrates the importance of an interactive ocean for the climate signal. The model simulates an intensification of the African and Asian monsoons and a warming at high northern latitudes with reduced sea ice. Data from the coupled climate model have been used to drive a dynamical vegetation model. The modelled response is a marked increase in vegetation cover in the Sahara and a poleward shift of vegetation zones in high northern latitudes.

Keywords

Coupled atmosphere-ocean model numerical modelling experiments insolation interactive ocean monsoon circulation sea ice dynamical vegetation model Holocene

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