First workshop of the working group “Dynamic Vegetation Models: The Next Generation”

Dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) have become indispensable for understanding the biosphere. Yet, while their versatility is increasing as new processes and variables are added, uncertainty accumulates and there is an urgent need to improve the reliability and robustness of their predictions. We aim to address this challenge by developing foundations of a new generation of vegetation models, utilizing recent progress in scientific understanding and modeling methods. We are particularly focusing on what might be called a “missing law” – principles of adaptation and optimization rooted in natural selection, which make plants more predictable and models both simpler and more accurate. With this working group, we intend to stimulate the development of these concepts and other organizing principles by providing an opportunity to join forces and collaborate across established groups and disciplines.  

In the first workshop, we discuss the state of the art and identify promising key directions for future developments, which will serve as a basis for our collaborative research; next two workshops will make further progress on our goals. 

Last edited: 07 April 2017