A ground temperature map of the North Atlantic permafrost region based on remote sensing and reanalysis data The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-9-1303-2015 23 June 2015 The authors of this paper use remotely sensed land surface temperature and land cover in conjunction with air temperature and snowfall from a reanalysis product as input for a simple permafrost model. The scheme is applied to the permafrost regions bordering the North Atlantic. A comparison with ground temperatures in boreholes suggests a modeling accuracy of 2 to 2.5 °C. Read more
Towards observation-based gridded runoff estimates for Europe Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-19-2859-2015 22 June 2015 Water storages and fluxes on land are key variables in the earth system. To provide context for local investigations and to understand phenomena that emerge at large spatial scales, information on continental freshwater dynamics is needed. This paper presents a methodology to estimate continental scale runoff on a 0.5° spatial grid, which combines the advantages of in-situ observations with the power of machine learning regression. The resulting runoff estimates compare well with observations. Read more
Dynamics of the Oso-Steelhead landslide from broadband seismic analysis Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-15-1265-2015 17 June 2015 We carry out a study of the seismic signals generated by the devastating Oso-Steelhead landslides. We invert the long-period seismic signals generated by the first main event and obtain estimates of its trajectory, kinematics and mass. No distinct long-period surface waves were recorded for the second failure, which prevents inversion for its source parameters. However, from the comparison of the energy of the short-period waves generated by both events, we can estimate the volume of the second. Read more
Technical Note: How accurate can stalagmite formation temperatures be determined using vapour bubble radius measurements in fluid inclusions? Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-11-905-2015 17 June 2015 Fluid inclusions inside stalagmites retain information on the cave temperature at the time they formed and thus can be used to reconstruct the continental climate of the past. A method for extracting this information based on a thermodynamic model and size measurements of femtosecond-laser-induced vapour bubbles is presented. Applying our method to stalagmites taken from the Milandre cave in the Swiss Jura Mountains demonstrate that palaeotemperatures can be determined with an accuracy of ±1°C. Read more
Brief Communication: Newly developing rift in Larsen C Ice Shelf presents significant risk to stability The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-9-1223-2015 15 June 2015 Within the last year, a large rift in the southern part of the Larsen C Ice Shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, propagated towards the inner part of the ice shelf. In this study we present the development of the rift as derived from remote sensing data and assess the impact of possible calving scenarios on the future stability of the Larsen C Ice Shelf, using a numerical model. We find that the calving front is likely to become unstable after the anticipated calving events. Read more
Large-basin hydrological response to climate model outputs: uncertainty caused by internal atmospheric variability Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-19-2737-2015 15 June 2015 Our paper is one of very few studies where the influence of stochastic internal atmospheric variability (IAV) on the hydrological response is analyzed. On the basis of ensemble experiments with GCM and hydrological models, we found, e.g., that averaging over ensemble members filters the stochastic term related to IAV, and that a considerable portion of the simulated trend in annual Lena R. runoff can be explained by the externally forced signal (global SST and SIC changes in our experiments). Read more
A large-scale simulation model to assess karstic groundwater recharge over Europe and the Mediterranean Geoscientific Model Development DOI 10.5194/gmd-8-1729-2015 11 June 2015 We present a new approach to assess karstic groundwater recharge over Europe and the Mediterranean. Cluster analysis is used to subdivide all karst regions into four typical karst landscapes and to simulate karst recharge with a process-based karst model. We estimate its parameters by a combination of a priori information and observations of soil moisture and evapotranspiration. Independent observations of recharge that present large-scale models significantly under-estimate karstic recharge. Read more
Twelve thousand years of dust: the Holocene global dust cycle constrained by natural archives Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-11-869-2015 11 June 2015 We propose an innovative framework to organize paleodust records, formalized in a publicly accessible database, and discuss the emerging properties of the global dust cycle during the Holocene by integrating our analysis with simulations performed with the Community Earth System Model. We show how the size distribution of dust is intrinsically related to the dust mass accumulation rates and that only considering a consistent size range allows for a consistent analysis of the global dust cycle. Read more
A 50 % increase in the mass of terrestrial particles delivered by the Mackenzie River into the Beaufort Sea (Canadian Arctic Ocean) over the last 10 years Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-12-3551-2015 9 June 2015 Eleven years (2003-2013) of satellite data were processed to observe the variations in suspended particulate matter concentrations at the mouth of the Mackenzie River and estimate the fluxes exported into the Canadian Arctic Ocean. Results show that these concentrations at the river mouth, in the delta zone and in the river plume have increased by 46%, 71% and 33%, respectively, since 2003. This corresponds to a more than 50% increase in particulate export from the river into the Beaufort Sea. Read more
Emergence of multiple ocean ecosystem drivers in a large ensemble suite with an Earth system model Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-12-3301-2015 3 June 2015 A large initial-condition ensemble suite of simulations with an Earth system model is applied to evaluate emergence characteristics of four ocean ecosystem drivers under climate change. The drivers considered are warming, acidification, deoxygenation, and perturbations to biological productivity. The spatial and temporal hierarchies of the emergence of these drivers are considered, using concepts of both time of emergence and confidence intervals. Read more
Ideas and perspectives: on the emission of amines from terrestrial vegetation in the context of new atmospheric particle formation Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-12-3225-2015 3 June 2015 In this article we summarise recent science which shows how airborne amines, specifically methylamines (MAs), play a key role in new atmospheric particle formation (NPF) by stabilising small molecule clusters. Read more
Snowfall in the Himalayas: an uncertain future from a little-known past The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-9-1147-2015 2 June 2015 Snow and ice provide large amounts of meltwater to the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. In this study we show that climate change will reduce the amount of snow falling in the Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Karakoram substantially. The limited number of observations in remote upper-level terrain makes it difficult to get a complete overview of the situation today, but our results indicate that by 2071–2100 snowfall may be reduced by 30–70% with the strongest anthropogenic forcing scenario. Read more
Reliable, robust and realistic: the three R’s of next-generation land-surface modelling Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-15-5987-2015 29 May 2015 Land surface models (LSMs) describe how carbon and water fluxes react to environmental change. They are key component of climate models, yet they differ enormously. Many perform poorly, despite having many parameters. We outline a development strategy emphasizing robustness, reliability and realism, none of which is guaranteed by complexity alone. We propose multiple constraints, benchmarking and data assimilation, and representing unresolved processes stochastically, as tools in this endeavour. Read more
Modelling glacier change in the Everest region, Nepal Himalaya The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-9-1105-2015 27 May 2015 A glacier mass balance and redistribution model that integrates field observations and downscaled climate fields is developed to examine glacier sensitivity to future climate in the Everest region of Nepal. The modelled sensitivity of glaciers to future climate change is high, and glacier mass loss is sustained through the 21st century for both middle- and high-emission scenarios. Projected temperature increases will expose large glacier areas to melt and reduce snow accumulations. Read more
Local and regional scale measurements of CH4, δ13CH4, and C2H6 in the Uintah Basin using a mobile stable isotope analyzer Atmospheric Measurement Techniques DOI 10.5194/amtd-8-4859-2015 13 May 2015 We describe an innovative instrument based on cavity ring down spectroscopy that analyzes the stable isotopes of methane in the ambient atmosphere. This instrument was used to study atmospheric emissions from oil and gas extraction activities in the Uintah Basin in Utah. These measurements suggest that 86 ± 7% of the total emissions in the basin are from natural gas production. The easy field deployment of this instrument can enable similar regional attribution studies across the world. Read more
Oceanic and atmospheric forcing of Larsen C Ice-Shelf thinning The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-9-1005-2015 13 May 2015 Antarctic Peninsula ice shelves have collapsed in recent decades. The surface of Larsen C Ice Shelf is lowering, but the cause of this has not been understood. This study uses eight radar surveys to show that the lowering is caused by both ice loss and a loss of air from the ice shelf’s snowpack. At least two different processes are causing the lowering. The stability of Larsen C may be at risk from an ungrounding of Bawden Ice Rise or ice-front retreat past a ‘compressive arch’ in strain rates. Read more
The GAMDAM glacier inventory: a quality-controlled inventory of Asian glaciers The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-9-849-2015 6 May 2015 We present a new glacier inventory for high-mountain Asia named Glacier Area Mapping for Discharge from the Asian Mountains (GAMDAM). Glacier outlines were delineated manually using 356 Landsat ETM+ scenes in 226 path-row sets from the period 1999–2003, in conjunction with a digital elevation model and high-resolution Google EarthTM imagery. Our GAMDAM Glacier Inventory includes 87,084 glaciers covering a total area of 91,263 ± 13,689 km2 throughout high-mountain Asia. Read more
Open ocean dead zones in the tropical North Atlantic Ocean Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-12-2597-2015 30 April 2015 This study is the first report of the formation of dead zones in the open ocean. A combination of multiple ocean observing system elements (mooring, floats, satellites, ships) allowed us to reconstruct the generation of the dead zones and to connect the formation to enhanced respiration within mesoscale ocean eddies. The dead zones present specific threats to the ecosystem, such as the interruption of the diurnal migration of zooplankters. Read more
Storm type effects on super Clausius–Clapeyron scaling of intense rainstorm properties with air temperature Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-19-1753-2015 16 April 2015 We present an empirical study of the rates of increase in precipitation intensity with air temperature using high-resolution 10 min precipitation records in Switzerland. We estimated the scaling rates for lightning (convective) and non-lightning event subsets and show that scaling rates are between 7 and 14%/C for convective rain and that mixing of storm types exaggerates the relations to air temperature. Doubled CC rates reported by other studies are an exception in our data set. Read more
Field survey report and satellite image interpretation of the 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-15-805-2015 10 April 2015 Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Eastern Visayas islands of the Philippines on 8 November 2013. The International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, deployed several teams for damage recognition, relief support and collaboration with regard to this event. In this paper, we summarize the rapid damage assessment from satellite imagery conducted days after the event and report on the inundation measurements and damage surveyed in the field. Read more
On producing sea ice deformation data sets from SAR-derived sea ice motion The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-9-663-2015 9 April 2015 We present a new method to compute sea ice deformation fields from satellite-derived motion. The method particularly reduces the artificial noise that arises along discontinuities in the sea ice motion field. We estimate that this artificial noise may cause an overestimation of about 60% of sea ice opening and closing. The constant overestimation of the opening and closing could have led in previous studies to a large overestimation of freezing in leads, salt rejection and sea ice ridging. Read more
Rapid transport of East Asian pollution to the deep tropics Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-15-3565-2015 31 March 2015 We use observations and model calculations to show that “cold surges” occurring during Northern Hemisphere winter can rapidly transport East Asian pollution to equatorial Southeast Asia. As well as affecting atmospheric composition near the surface, we argue that strong convection can subsequently lift the polluted air masses to the tropical upper troposphere. This suggests a potentially important connection between midlatitude pollution sources and the lower stratosphere. Read more
Intercomparison of vertically resolved merged satellite ozone data sets: interannual variability and long-term trends Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-15-3021-2015 17 March 2015 Understanding ozone trends in the vertical are vital in terms of assessing the success of the Montreal Protocol. This paper compares and analyses the long-term trends in stratospheric ozone from seven new merged satellite data sets. The data sets largely agree well with each other, particularly for the negative trends seen in the early period 1984-1997. For the 1998-2011 period there is less agreement, but a clear shift from negative to mostly positive trends. Read more
Continuous and discontinuous variation in ecosystem carbon stocks with elevation across a treeline ecotone Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-12-1615-2015 12 March 2015 Here we investigate how ecosystem carbon stocks vary with elevation shifting from the closed forest to open alpine tundra, in the mountains of southern Norway. Above-ground carbon stocks decreased with elevation, with a clear breakpoint at the forest line, while the organic horizon soil carbon stocks increased linearly with elevation. Overall, ecosystem carbon stocks increased with elevation above the treeline and decreased with elevation below, demonstrating the importance of the treeline. Read more
A novel algorithm for detection of precipitation in tropical regions using PMW radiometers Atmospheric Measurement Techniques DOI 10.5194/amt-8-1217-2015 12 March 2015 The CCA algorithm is applicable to any modern passive microwave radiometer on board polar orbiting satellites; it has been developed using a data set of co-located SSMIS and TRMM-PR measurements and AMSU-MHS and TRMM-PR measurements. The algorithm shows a small rate of false alarms and superior detection capability and can efficiently detect (POD between 0.55 and 0.71) minimum rain rate varying from 0.14 mm/h (AMSU over ocean) to 0.41 (SSMIS over coast). Read more
The soil N cycle: new insights and key challenges SOIL DOI 10.5194/soil-1-235-2015 11 March 2015 Here, we review important insights with respect to the soil N cycle that have been made over the last decade, and present a personal view on the key challenges of future research. Read more
Improved routines to model the ocean carbonate system: mocsy 2.0 Geoscientific Model Development DOI 10.5194/gmd-8-485-2015 9 March 2015 We provide improved routines to model the ocean carbonate system, i.e., to compute ocean pH and related variables from dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity. These routines (1) rely on the fastest available algorithm to solve the alkalinity-pH equation, which converges even under extreme conditions; (2) avoid common model approximations that lead to errors of 3% or more in computed variables; and (3) account for large pressure effects on subsurface pCO2, unlike other packages. Read more
Use of Ra isotopes to deduce rapid transfer of sediment-derived inputs off Kerguelen Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-12-1415-2015 5 March 2015 We investigated the origin and mechanisms of the natural iron fertilization that sustains a phytoplankton bloom downstream of the Kerguelen Islands. We used radium isotopes to trace the fate of shelf waters that may transport iron and other micronutrients towards offshore waters. We show that shelf waters are rapidly transferred offshore and may be transported across the polar front (PF). The PF may thus not be a strong physical barrier for chemical elements released by the shelf sediments. Read more
Using results from the PlioMIP ensemble to investigate the Greenland Ice Sheet during the mid-Pliocene Warm Period Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-11-403-2015 5 March 2015 Climate and ice sheet models are often used to predict the nature of ice sheets in Earth history. It is important to understand if such predictions are consistent between different models, especially in warm periods of relevance to the future. We use input from 15 different climate models to run one ice sheet model and compare the predictions over Greenland. We find that there are large differences between the predicted ice sheets for the warm Pliocene (c. 3 million years ago). Read more
Evaluation of coral reef carbonate production models at a global scale Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-12-1339-2015 4 March 2015 Production of calcium carbonate by coral reefs is important in the global carbon cycle. Using a global framework we evaluate four models of reef calcification against observed values. The temperature-only model showed significant skill in reproducing coral calcification rates. The absence of any predictive power for whole reef systems highlights the importance of coral cover and the need for an ecosystem modelling approach accounting for population dynamics in terms of mortality and recruitment. Read more
Does temperature affect the accuracy of vented pressure transducer in fine-scale water level measurement? Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems DOI 10.5194/gi-4-65-2015 3 March 2015 This paper discussed the effect of temperature on the accuracy of submersible strain gauge pressure transducers. The results show that rapid change of temperature introduces errors in the water level reading while the absolute temperature is also related to the sensor errors. The former is attributed to venting and the latter is attributed to temperature compensation effects in the strain gauges. Performance tests are necessary before field deployment to ensure the data quality. Read more
Persistent after-effects of heavy rain on concentrations of ice nuclei and rainfall suggest a biological cause Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-15-2313-2015 3 March 2015 We show that atmospheric load of ice nuclei is enhanced for up to 20 days after key rainfall events. The rate of enhancement decreases exponentially with time. Rainfall quantity and frequency are increased for a similar duration and with similar exponential decreases thereby supporting the notion of rainfall feedback. We reveal series of significant feedback in rainfall patterns across Australia over the past century and marked changes in feedback patterns, and we indicate their locations. Read more
Quantitative high-resolution observations of soil water dynamics in a complicated architecture using time-lapse ground-penetrating radar Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-19-1125-2015 2 March 2015 In this study, we analyze a set of high-resolution, surface-based, 2-D Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) observations of artificially induced subsurface water dynamics. In particular, we place close scrutiny on the evolution of the capillary fringe in a highly dynamic regime with surface based time-lapse GPR. We thoroughly explain all observed phenomena based on theoretical soil physical considerations and numerical simulations of both subsurface water flow and the expected GPR response. Read more
Identification and quantification of gaseous organic compounds emitted from biomass burning using two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-15-1865-2015 23 February 2015 This work represents the first application of two-dimensional gas chromatography to broadly characterize the gas-phase emissions of biomass burning, including comparisons among the emissions from burns of selected conifer, grass, crop residue, and peat fuel types. In these smoke samples, over 700 compounds were detected, which are discussed in the context of potential secondary organic aerosol formation. Read more
A 3-D shear velocity model of the southern North American and Caribbean plates from ambient noise and earthquake tomography Solid Earth DOI 10.5194/se-6-271-2015 20 February 2015 We compute a velocity model of the crust and uppermost mantle of Southern North America, Mexico and the Caribbean. We use a recent technique based on ‘ambient noise’ – or continuous seismic records – and a traditional one using earthquakes. Both techniques, together with the increased number of seismic stations in the region, allow us to obtain greater resolution than previous works. Some of its applications are to localize regional earthquakes and simulate ground motions. Read more
Drought in forest understory ecosystems – a novel rainfall reduction experiment Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-12-961-2015 17 February 2015 This paper introduces a novel rainfall reduction experiment to investigate drought effects on soil-forest-understory-ecosystems. An annual drought with a return period of 40 years was imposed, while other ecosystem variables (humidity, air & soil temperature) remained unaffected. The first year of drought showed considerable changes in soil moisture dynamics, which affected leaf stomatal conductance of understory species as well as evapotranspiration rates of the forest understory ecosystem. Read more
Ancient pre-glacial erosion surfaces preserved beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Earth Surface Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esurf-3-139-2015 16 February 2015 We use ice penetrating radar data to identify a laterally continuous, gently sloping topographic block, comprising two surfaces separated by a distinct break in slope, preserved beneath the Institute and Möller Ice Streams, West Antarctica. We interpret these features as extensive erosion surfaces, showing that ancient (pre-glacial) surfaces can be preserved at low elevations beneath ice sheets. Different erosion regimes (e.g. fluvial and marine) may have formed these surfaces. Read more
Global trends in extreme precipitation: climate models versus observations Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-19-877-2015 12 February 2015 We present a systematic comparison of changes in historical extreme precipitation in station observations (HadEX2) and 15 climate models from the CMIP5 (as the largest and most recent sets of available observational and modeled datasets), on global and continental scale for 1901-2010, using both parametric (linear regression) and non-parametric (the Mann-Kendall as well as Sen’s slope estimator) methods, taking care to spatially and temporally sample observations and models in comparable ways. Read more
Simulated anthropogenic CO2 storage and acidification of the Mediterranean Sea Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-12-781-2015 10 February 2015 Different observational-based estimates of CO2 uptake and resulting acidification of the Mediterranean Sea vary widely. A new study finds that even the smallest of those is an upper limit because the approach used assumes air-sea CO2 equilibrium. Then along with a lower limit from new fine-scale numerical model simulations, the authors bracket Mediterranean Sea CO2 uptake and acidification rates. They conclude that its rate of surface acidifcation is much like that for typical ocean waters. Read more
A high-resolution global-scale groundwater model Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-19-823-2015 6 February 2015 In this paper we present a high resolution global-scale groundwater model of an upper aquifer. An equilibrium water table at its natural state is contructed. Aquifer parameterization is based on available global-datasets on lithology and conductivity combined with estimated aquifer thickness. The results showed groundwater levels are well simulated for many regions of the world. Simulated flow paths showed the relevance of including lateral groundwater flows in global scale hydrological models. Read more
Technical Note: Maximising accuracy and minimising cost of a potentiometrically regulated ocean acidification simulation system Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-12-713-2015 5 February 2015 This article describes a low-cost, easy set-up, ocean acidification simulation system that reliably mimics the effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide on seawater chemistry. The accessible design of this system, along with our suggestions for the validation of pH control and characterisation of seawater chemistry, will enable researchers on a limited budget to generate high quality, repeatable data documenting the response of marine organisms to ocean acidification. Read more
Simulating the Greenland ice sheet under present-day and palaeo constraints including a new discharge parameterization The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-9-179-2015 5 February 2015 Ice discharge into the ocean from outlet glaciers is an important component of mass loss of the Greenland ice sheet. Here, we present a simple parameterization of ice discharge for coarse resolution ice sheet models, suitable for large ensembles or long-term palaeo simulations. This parameterization reproduces in a good approximation the present-day ice discharge compared with estimates, and the simulation of the present-day ice sheet elevation is considerably improved. Read more
Permafrost soils and carbon cycling SOIL DOI 10.5194/soil-1-147-2015 5 February 2015 The huge carbon stocks found in soils of the permafrost region are important to the global climate system because of their potential to decompose and release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere upon thawing. This review highlights permafrost characteristics, the influence of cryogenic processes on soil formation, organic carbon accumulation and distribution in permafrost soils, the vulnerability of this carbon upon permafrost thaw, and the role of permafrost soils in a changing climate. Read more
Glacier-surge mechanisms promoted by a hydro-thermodynamic feedback to summer melt The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-9-197-2015 5 February 2015 Here we present continuous GPS measurements and satellite synthetic-aperture-radar-based velocity maps from Basin-3, the largest drainage basin of the Austfonna ice cap, Svalbard. Our observations demonstrate strong links between surface-melt and multiannual ice-flow acceleration. Read more
Three-dimensional morphology of equatorial plasma bubbles deduced from measurements onboard CHAMP Annales Geophysicae DOI 10.5194/angeo-33-129-2015 28 January 2015 Total electron content (TEC) between Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites can be used to constrain three-dimensional morphology of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs). TEC gradient observed along the LEO track is strongest when the corresponding GNSS satellite is located equatorward and westward of the LEO satellite. This anisotropy supports the idea that EPBs have three-dimensional shell structures. Read more
A reduced-complexity model for river delta formation – Part 1: Modeling deltas with channel dynamics Earth Surface Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esurf-3-67-2015 28 January 2015 In this work we present DeltaRCM, a reduced-complexity model for river delta formation. It is a rule-based cellular morphodynamic model, in contrast to reductionist models based on detailed computational fluid dynamics. DeltaRCM is able to resolve channel dynamics, and to produce stratigraphy. We also explain the meaning of complexity reduction, especially what are the essential processes to be included in modeling deltas. Read more
The fate of seeds in the soil: a review of the influence of overland flow on seed removal and its consequences for the vegetation of arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems SOIL DOI 10.5194/soil-1-131-2015 26 January 2015 Since seeds are the principle means by which plants move across the landscape, the final fate of seeds plays a fundamental role in the origin, maintenance, functioning and dynamics of plant communities. In arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems, where seeds are scattered into a heterogeneous environment and intense rainfalls occur, the transport of seeds by runoff to new sites represents an opportunity for seeds to reach more favourable sites for seed germination and seedling survival. Read more
ERA-Interim/Land: a global land surface reanalysis data set Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-19-389-2015 21 January 2015 ERA-Interim/Land is a global land-surface reanalysis covering the period 1979–2010. It describes the evolution of soil moisture, soil temperature and snowpack. ERA-Interim/Land includes a number of parameterization improvements in the land surface scheme with respect to the original ERA-Interim and a precipitation bias correction based on GPCP. A selection of verification results show the added value in representing the terrestrial water cycle and its main land surface storages and fluxes. Read more
The interdisciplinary nature of SOIL SOIL DOI 10.5194/soil-1-117-2015 16 January 2015 This paper provides a brief accounting of some of the many ways that the study of soils can be interdisciplinary, therefore giving examples of the types of papers we hope to see submitted to SOIL. Read more
Experimental test of the ρ(1-α) evolution for rotational discontinuities: cluster magnetopause observations Annales Geophysicae DOI 10.5194/angeo-33-79-2015 15 January 2015 Rotational discontinuities (RDs) in plasma allow a magnetic connection between different plasma regimes. One of their defining relations describes a balance between changes in plasma mass density and pressure anisotropy. The paper uses the high time resolution data from the Cluster satellites to directly test that relation at the terrestrial magnetopause, when standard analysis predicts that this boundary behaves like an RD. The experimental evidence shows that the said relation is not fulfilled. Read more