IBIS (Integrated BIosphere Simulator)
The Earth's terrestrial (land-based) ecosystems are critically important to the welfare of humankind. Food, fiber, fresh water, medicines, and forest products are all derived from our terrestrial ecosystems. In addition, terrestrial ecosystems play a central role in regulating the biogeochemical and climate systems of this planet.
To better understand ecological processes, and to evaluate their response to human activity, our research team is developing IBIS (the Integrated Biosphere Simulator) a comprehensive computer model of the Earth's terrestrial ecosystems.
IBIS simulates a wide variety of ecosystem processes, including
IBIS is one of the few computer models to incorporate this range of processes in a single framework.
We are currently using the model to study how ecosystems respond to changes in land use and climate. We continue to test the IBIS model against detailed field measurements collected from ecosystems around the world.
IBIS is described in
Kucharik, C.J., J.A. Foley, C. Delire, V.A. Fisher, M.T. Coe, J. Lenters, C. Young-Molling, N. Ramankutty, J.M. Norman, and S.T. Gower (2000). Testing the performance of a dynamic global ecosystem model: Water balance, carbon balance and vegetation structure. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 14(3), 795-825.
Foley, J.A., I.C. Prentice, N. Ramankutty, S. Levis, D. Pollard, S. Sitch, and A. Haxeltine (1996). An integrated biosphere model of land surface processes, terrestrial carbon balance, and vegetation dynamics. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 10(4), 603-628.