The effect of climate data applying temperature lapse rate on prediction of potential forest distribution.

Lee, Sang Cbul* · Cboi, Sung Ho** · Lee, Woo Kyun*** · Yoo, Seong Jin**** · Byun, Jae Gyun*****

 

Abstract: The objective of this study was to suggest technical approaches for preparation and down scaling of climate data used for predicting the potential forest distribution. To predict the forest di stribution, we employed a Korean-specific forest distribution model, so-called the TAG(Thennal Analogy Group), and defined the PFT( Plant Functi onal Types) based on the HyTAG(Hydrological and Thermal Analogy Group). The c limate data with 20km spatial resolution were interpolated to fit on the input data fonnat with lkm spatial resolution. Two potenti al forest distribution maps were estimated using climate data constructed by kriging, one of the interpolation and down-scaling approaches, with and without lapse rate considered. Through the verification process by comparing two potential maps with the actual vegetation map, the forest distribution using the lapse rate was proven to be 38% more accurate.

 

Keywords : Climate Change, Potential Forest Distribution, Down-Scaling, Interpolation, Lapse Rate