Developing an Integrated Measurement-modeling Approach to Improve Forecasting of Soil Organic Matter Dynamics: The MEMS Model.
Predictive tools, i.e., ecosystem models, are required to inform policy and land management to support food production and to forecast carbon-climate feedback. These ecosystem models need to correctly represent the context-dependent effects of both management and climate on ecosystem biogeochemistry, from the farm to the global scale. Parametrization, calibration, and verification of these models are essential to their performance; thus, they need to represent quantifiable variables. At the SoIL, we work in close integration with modelers to develop integrated measurement-modeling approaches that can be used as tools for both scientific inquiry and decision support.
Major Contribution and Highlights
Future Directions and Goals
We contribute to the further development of the MEMS model to:
- Represent C and N biogeochemistry of all major terrestrial ecosystems.
- Predict responses of cropland and grassland C and N biogeochemistry to conventional and regenerative management practices.
- We are excited to keep developing the model structure to incorporate the most relevant and novel understandings of SOM dynamics, such as effects of microbial traits, controls on stable and dynamic organo-mineral interactions, and more.