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This map is one of the layers used to recreate Figure 2 in Churkina and
Running (1998) in Data Basin (file title: Climate controls on plant
growth). Each pixel (0.5ox0.5o) on the map represents a value derived
from a specific function of the percentage of sunshine hours per year
(Figure 1 in Churkina and Running 1998).
Exerpt from Churkina and Running 1998:
Although clouds can dramatically reduce the amount of incoming
photosynthetically active radiation, plants still photosynthesize on a
cloudy day by using diffuse radiation, but at lower rates. Thus, we
assumed that cloudiness considerably reduced incoming solar radiation
and NPP in areas with low percentages of sunshine hours per year.
Vegetation productivity was not limited by radiation in areas without
clouds or with negligible cloud cover. Cloudiness data, expressed in
sunshine hours per year, were derived from the CLIMATE database.
Running SW, Hunt ERJ. 1993. Generalization of a forest ecosystem process
model for other biomes, Biome-BGC, and an application for global-scale
models. In: Ehleringer JR, Field CB, editors. Scaling physiological
processes: leaf to globe. San Diego: Academic. p141-158.
Spatial Resolution:
0.5 degree latitude and longitude
Contact Organization:
Numerical terradynamic simulation group, College of Forestry, University of Montana
Layers in this dataset are based on combinations of the following options.
You may choose from these options to select a specific layer on the map page.