A Research Program for and the Process of Building and Testing Grassland Ecosystem Models

Abstract

This paper reports on the organization and operation of the U.S. International Biological Program's Grassland Biome study. The study has involved in the past 8 years a large number of scientists from many disciplines working in an integrated and data-sharing mode. Field studies have been conducted on 11 western grassland sites to obtain data to drive and to validate mathematical simulation models and to provide cross-site comparative information. The models are based upon data from field studies, the literature, and rate process studies, often conducted in the laboratory. A multiple-flow, ecosystem level model called "ELM" which can be adapted to various sites by changing parameters is described. The types and sources of scientific outputs from the program are described.