Terrestrial Ecosystem Model Calibration Data for Carbon and Nitrogen Fluxes

Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (TEM) calibration data provides carbon and nitrogen pool sizes and fluxes for 16 globally distributed field sites representing biomes from tundra to tropical forest. The dataset, originally published in 1999 and maintained by the ORNL DAAC, was compiled from literature to calibrate a process-based model for estimating continental-scale biogeochemical cycles. Data files remain unchanged since original publication, with only documentation updates noted in 2026.

Use Cases

• Calibrating the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (TEM) for global carbon and nitrogen flux estimates.
• Comparing net primary productivity (NPP) values across 16 distinct terrestrial biome sites.
• Analyzing relationships between carbon pools, nitrogen pools, and their fluxes in non-wetland ecosystems.
• Benchmarking site-level biogeochemical data against continental-scale model outputs (0.5-degree resolution).

Strengths

• Data covers 16 globally distributed sites representing a wide range of terrestrial biomes, providing biome-specific calibration points.
• Net primary productivity (NPP) values were extracted from scientific literature, offering a curated synthesis.
• Data files have been checked for accuracy and remain identical to the original 1999 publication, ensuring consistency.

Limitations

• Exact row count, column names, and file size are unknown across all platform descriptions.
• Sources conflict on last updated date: Data.gov lists 2026-03-12, while NASA Earthdata lists 1992-12 31.
• Dataset excludes wetland ecosystems, limiting its applicability to those biome types.

Provenance

Source

Ecosystem Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA; distributed by ORNL DAAC.

Collection Method

Net primary productivity (NPP) data were extracted from the published scientific literature.

Time Range

1992

Freshness

2026-03-12

Geography

16 globally distributed field sites, representing terrestrial biomes from tundra to tropical forest.