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Second iLEAPS Science Conference

The Second iLEAPS Science Conference will follow the path set by the First Conference, which took place in 2006 in Boulder, Colorado, and the 2003 planning conference in Helsinki, Finland. The 2009 conference will focus on interactions and feedbacks in the land-atmosphere system in order to improve our understanding of the processes and parameterization of modelling. Topics will cover, for example, the various interactions between theory, modelling, and field measurements; multiple stress interactions and the role of fire in biosphere-atmosphere exchanges; the strategies needed to apply observations at the leaf- to the Earth system model scale; the exchange of reactive trace gases between soils, vegetation, and the atmosphere; and the land surface as a source of aerosols.

Session 1: Surface exchange processes from leaf level to Earth System scale

Exchange processes at the land surface play an important role in atmospheric chemistry and climate. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of considering the exchange of CO2 and of non-CO2 trace gases interactively for example in order to interpret glacial-interglacial ice-core records that are used for simulating the pre-industrial and present atmosphere. This interactive approach can also help in estimating the potential for large climate-chemistry feedbacks in the coming century. However, important processes that modulate the production, emission, and deposition of trace gases and their dynamics in the atmosphere are still a major source of uncertainty in atmospheric chemistry and climate science.

This session focuses on understanding and parameterizing surface exchange processes from the leaf- and soil level up to the Earth System modelling scale. The session includes laboratory experiments and field observations (including remote sensing) and their application to evaluate surface exchange processes in Earth System Models. Another topic is the availability and use of the observations at a multitude of scales. We particularly welcome papers that present surface-exchange processes in an integrated manner: by a multiple trace gas species approach or by addressing the interactions between theory, modelling, and field observations. Multiple-stress effects (e.g., drought, fire; cold environments) on exchange processes will be of particular interest.

Session 2: Progress in land-atmosphere interactions and climate change

This session focuses on climate change and how the land-atmosphere interactions relevant in this context can modulate the Earth System response to global warming, for example through changes in water and energy cycle feedbacks, carbon cycle, and biogeochemistry. This includes the contribution of land-atmosphere interactions to uncertainties in climate-change projections, as well as associated mitigation and adaptation strategies. The session encompasses both regional and global-scale feedbacks, and aspects ranging from conceptual feedbacks analyses to climate-change impacts. Contributions related to the role of changes in soil moisture, albedo, plant physiology, snow cover, land-atmosphere exchanges, land cover and land use, and biogeochemical cycles (especially carbon and nitrogen) are particularly encouraged. We also welcome synthesis studies addressing model intercomparisons and multi-model analyses, model benchmarking and model evaluation, as well as the analysis of observational and paleo-record data on the role of land-climate interactions for the Earth System.

Session 3: The role of atmospheric boundary layer processes in modulating surface exchanges

Boundary layer processes control land-atmosphere exchange at a range of scales with impacts on regional climate.  At patch scale the surface cover directly modulates rates of exchange through the surface layer at CBL scale, the surface energy balance controls the rate of PBL growth, entrainment and mixing with the free troposphere. Transport through the PBL of trace gases and aerosols, directly emitted or produced at the surface, largely controls the release into the free troposphere and consequently long-range transport and lifetime of these compounds. Boundary layer transport also potentially limits the supply of those compounds which are efficiently removed at the Earth surface and can potentially influence the efficiency of chemical and physical interactions occurring timescales from the turbulent to the seasonal.  Clearly, an improved understanding, quantification and model representation of land-atmosphere interactions involving trace gas and aerosol exchanges with a balanced consideration of boundary layer processes is overdue.

The aim of this session is to further intensify the interactions between the iLEAPS and Atmospheric Boundary Layer communities. The session invites papers on progress in understanding and modeling of atmospheric boundary layers for land-atmosphere interaction-, climate- and Earth System studies.

Session 4: Aerosols from the land surface and their interactions with the climate system

The session on aerosols and interactions with land processes will discuss aerosol-related emissions and processes that influence the climate system. The emphasis will be put on primary and secondary biogenic particles, dust and aerosols due to tropical biomass burning. Process affecting the aerosol sinks and sources over forested areas will be considered, including mechanisms of new particle formation over boreal forests. Dust is a key ingredient that that influences the climate system and biogeochemistry over large areas, and also contributes to the radiative balance of the atmosphere.  The role of particles at the aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions in warm boundary layer clouds will be discussed in view of their impact on precipitation. The direct and indirect radiative effects of aerosols will be discussed in the regional and global scales. Results from large scale aerosol measurements trough aircraft campaigns will provide information on the regional aerosol distribution and climate effects.

Joint Sessions of the Parallel Science Conferences

The conferences will hold joint sessions on three common themes with keynote talks, oral and poster presentations. This venue provides an exciting platform for presenting and discussing the latest scientific developments in the area of water, energy, and biogeochemical cycles. It also provides the opportunity for cross-fertilization between the sciences represented by both GEWEX, as part of the World Climate Research Programme, and iLEAPS, as part of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme in addressing present and future climate and global change challenges.

Land in the Climate System

The land surface has an effect on climate, which in turn affects the structure of the land surface. Land use and land cover have an effect on surface energy and water balance, radiation, cloudiness, temperature, and biochemical cycles, particularly noticeable at but not limited to the local and regional scale. This session invites papers that address the involvement of land in the climate system, the coupling between the land and the atmosphere, and especially coupling/feedback mechanisms.

Despite the large body of research on the potential climate impacts of anthropogenic aerosols on the Earth’s radiative balance, much less is known about their effects on precipitation and their consequences for the climate system and the water cycle. A new research initiative by iLEAPS, GEWEX, and the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) Project called the Aerosols, Clouds, Precipitation and Climate (ACPC) initiative studies the complex interactions between meteorological parameters, aerosols, cloud microphysics, precipitation, and dynamics. This session will focus on ACPC-related research.

The study of the Earth system is based on both in-situ and remotely-sensed observations. Theory development and validation and concurrent model development ensure the expansion of our knowledge of critical processes related to water, energy, and biogeochemistry. To improve predictions of the function and changes of the Earth system, the validation of existing methods and the development of new observations and tools is essential. This session will focus on the transition from current methodologies and observations to the integrated use of new observations and tools, as well as the new and exciting science that such changes will bring.