Conversions of Landscape Types

This module makes it possible to define the rate of expansion of landscape types.  Growth of a landscape type can be either user-defined or driven by climate change.  When a landscape type grows, it is possible to specify which other landscape types it grows into.

Input tables

1.  Landscape expansion strategy

For each landscape type, enter '1' if additional area is distributed among landscape types in proportions equal to the proportion of each landscape type in the land base. Enter '0' if additional area is distributed among other landscape types in a user-defined fashion (see Table 2).

2.  User-defined expansion of landscape types into other landscape types

For each landscape type, enter the proportion (0 - 1) of new area added to each landscape type during the simulation period.

3.  User-defined landscape type multiplier for initial land base

For each landscape type, enter a value (between 1 and 3) that modifies the area of the landscape type at the start of the simulation period.  The area of the landscape type in the initial land base is multiplied by this modifier value.  For example, a value of 2 would double area of a landscape type.  The additional area added to a landscape type is removed from other landscape types according to the rules specified in Tables 1 and 2.

Graphic inputs

User-defined growth of landscape types

For each landscape type, enter the growth rate (area in hectares) during each year of the simulation period.  Values may be constant or may vary over time.

Switches

User-defined or climate change-induced landscape type conversions

- If the "user-defined landscape type conversions" switch ("User") is on, then areas added to each landscape type during a simulation are distributed according to the rules specified in Table 1 and Table 2.
- If the "climate change-induced landscape type conversions" switch ("Climate") is on, then areas added to each landscape type during a simulation are distributed according to the rules specified in Panel 8.13 "Climate change induced landscape type conversions".

  

Climate change induced landscape type conversions

This module makes it possible to describe the relationship between the rate at which a given landscape type grows in area and the climate change index.  The climate change index can vary from -1 to +1, with a value of -1 indicating a landscape that is both cooler and wetter than today, and a value of +1 indicating a landscape that is hotter and drier.  The drought index-related growth rate for each landscape type can vary between 0 and 0.1 (10%).

Graphic inputs

Climate change induced landscape type conversions

For each landscape type, describe the relationship between the rate at which a given landscape type grows in area and the climate change index.  The climate change index can vary from -1 to +1, with a value of -1 indicating a landscape that is both cooler and wetter than today, and a value of +1 indicating a landscape that is hotter and drier.  The drought index-related growth rate for each landscape type can vary between 0 and 0.1 (10%).  The relationships between changes in temperature and precipitation, and climate change index, are specified in Panel 5.2.  Also, these inputs take effect if the landscape type conversion switch and the climate change induced conversions switch are turned on.