Response of a Grassland Ecosystem to Climate Change in a Theoretical Model

The response of a grassland ecosystem to climate change is discussed within the context of a theoretical model.An optimization approach,a conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation related to parameter(CNOP-P) approach,was employed in this study.The CNOP-P,a perturbation of moisture index in the theoretical model,represents a nonlinear climate perturbation.Two kinds of linear climate perturbations were also used to study the response of the grassland ecosystem to different types of climate changes.The results show that the extent of grassland ecosystem variation caused by the CNOP-P-type climate change is greater than that caused by the two linear types of climate change.In addition,the grassland ecosystem affected by the CNOP-P-type climate change evolved into a desert ecosystem,and the two linear types of climate changes failed within a specific amplitude range when the moisture index recovered to its reference state.Therefore,the grassland ecosystem response to climate change was nonlinear.This study yielded similar results for a desert ecosystem seeded with both living and wilted biomass litter.The quantitative analysis performed in this study also accounted for the role of soil moisture in the root zone and the shading effect of wilted biomass on the grassland ecosystem through nonlinear interactions between soil and vegetation.The results of this study imply that the CNOP-P approach is a potentially effective tool for assessing the impact of nonlinear climate change on grassland ecosystems.     

草原生态系统模式中参数不确定性导致的模拟结果不确定性研究

基于五变量草原生态系统理论模式,应用与参数有关的条件非线性最优扰动(CNOP-P)方法,探讨了由参数不确定性导致的草原生态系统模式模拟结果的不确定性问题。参数的不确定性可能来源于观测和（或）对物理过程描述等的不确定性。选取了五变量草原生态系统模式中具有物理意义的32个模式参数进行数值试验。试验结果表明,对所考察的32个模式参数,在一定的不确定性和给定的优化时刻范围内,单独优化每个参数所得CNOP-Ps的联合模态与同时优化32个参数所得CNOP-P的模态并不相同。比较了上述两类参数误差以及随机参数误差对草原生态系统模拟的差异。随机参数误差与上述优化方法所得参数误差的不确定性范围大小相同。数值结果表明,同时优化32个参数所得 CNOP-P 类型参数误差使得草原生态系统模拟的不确定性程度最大。这种影响表现在使得草原生态系统转变为沙漠生态系统,或者使得草原生态系统转变为具有更多生草量的草原生态系统。上述数值结果不依赖于优化时间和参数不确定性程度的大小。这些数值结果建议我们应当考虑多参数的非线性相互作用来研究草原生态系统模式模拟的不确定性问题,并且揭示出CNOP-P方法是讨论上述问题的一个有用的工具。     

A New Sensitivity Analysis Approach Using Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbations and Its Preliminary Application

Simulations and predictions using numerical models show considerable uncertainties, and parameter uncertainty is one of the most important sources. It is impractical to improve the simulation and prediction abilities by reducing the uncertainties of all parameters. Therefore, identifying the sensitive parameters or parameter combinations is crucial. This study proposes a novel approach: conditional nonlinear optimal perturbations sensitivity analysis(CNOPSA) method. The CNOPSA method fully consi...     

Applications of Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbation in Predictability Study and Sensitivity Analysis of Weather and Climate

Considering the limitation of the linear theory of singular vector (SV), the authors and their collaborators proposed conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation (CNOP) and then applied it in the predictability study and the sensitivity analysis of weather and climate system. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Chinese National Committee for World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), this paper is devoted to reviewing the main results of these studies. First, CNOP represents the initial perturbation that has largest nonlinear evolution at prediction time, which is different from linear singular vector (LSV) for the large magnitude of initial perturbation or/and the long optimization time interval. Second, CNOP, rather than linear singular vector (LSV), represents the initial anomaly that evolves into ENSO events most probably. It is also the CNOP that induces the most prominent seasonal variation of error growth for ENSO predictability; furthermore, CNOP was applied to investigate the decadal variability of ENSO asymmetry. It is demonstrated that the changing nonlinearity causes the change of ENSO asymmetry. Third, in the studies of the sensitivity and stability of ocean’s thermohaline circulation (THC), the nonlinear asymmetric response of THC to finite amplitude of initial perturbations was revealed by CNOP. Through this approach the passive mechanism of decadal variation of THC was demonstrated; Also the authors studies the instability and sensitivity analysis of grassland ecosystem by using CNOP and show the mechanism of the transitions between the grassland and desert states. Finally, a detailed discussion on the results obtained by CNOP suggests the applicability of CNOP in predictability studies and sensitivity analysis.     

Nonlinear feature of the abrupt transitions between multiple equilibria states of an ecosystem model

Based on a five-variable theoretical ecosystem model, the stability of equilibrium state and the nonlinear feature of the transition between a grassland state and a desert state are investigated. The approach of the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbations (CNOPs), which are the nonlinear generalization of the linear singular vectors (LSVs), is adopted. The numerical results indicate that the linearly stable grassland and desert states are nonlinearly unstable to large enough initial perturbations on the condition that the moisture index $\mu$ satisfies 0.3126<μ<0.3504. The perturbations represent some kind of anthropogenic influence and natural factors. The results obtained by CNOPs, LSVs and Lyapunov vectors (LVs) are compared to analyze the nonlinear feature of the transition between the grassland state and the desert state. Besides this, it is shown that the five-variable model is superior to the three-variable model in providing more visible signals when the transitions occur.     

数值天气预报和气候预测可预报性研究的若干动力学方法

简要回顾了数值天气预报和气候预测可预报性研究的若干动力学方法,包括用于研究第一类可预报性问题的线性奇异向量（LSV）和条件非线性最优初始扰动（CNOP-I）方法,以及Lyapunov指数和非线性局部Lyapunov指数方法。前两种方法用于研究预报或预测的预报误差问题,可以用于估计天气预报和气候预测的最大预报误差,而且根据导致最大预报误差的初始误差结构的信息,这两种方法可以用于确定预报或预测的初值敏感区。应该指出的是,LSV是基于线性化模式,对于描述非线性大气和海洋的运动具有局限性。因而,对于非线性模式,应该选择使用CNOP-I估计最大预报误差。Lyapunov指数和非线性局部Lyapunov指数可以用于研究第一类可预报性问题中的预报时限问题,前者是基于线性模式,不能解释非线性对预报时限的影响,而非线性局部Lyapunov指数方法则考虑了非线性的影响,能够较好地估计实际天气和气候的预报时限。第二类可预报性问题的研究方法相对较少,本文仅介绍了由我国科学家提出的关于模式参数扰动的条件非线性最优参数扰动（CNOP-P）方法,该方法可以用于寻找到对预报有最大影响的参数扰动,并可以进一步确定哪些参数最应该利用观测资料进行校准。另一方面,通过对比CNOP-I和CNOP-P对预报误差的影响,可以判断导致预报不确定性的主要误差因子,进而指导人们着力改进模式或者初始场。     

基于BGM框架的短期集合预报扰动典型规律研究

采用增长模培育(Breeding of Growing Modes,BGM)法开展有限区域模式短期集合预报研究,亟需解决的问题是集合预报扰动的发展及演变。因此论文结合经典的适时缩放培育思想,利用增长模培育法,基于WRF3.6模式(采用WRF-ARW),开发和构建了一个包含水平风场、垂直速度、位温扰动、位势扰动和水汽混合比共6个基本物理量的区域短期集合预报系统(WRF-EPS)。在此基础上,以2016年6月整月我国南方大范围暴雨为样例,针对扰动发展与演变的典型问题进行了探讨。试验结果表明:1)模式大气高、中、低三层的物理量扰动增长可以分为两个阶段,第一阶段为扰动快速线性增长,该阶段内扰动快速完成全部涨幅;第二阶段为非线性稳定阶段,从快速线性增长过渡到非线性稳定阶段大约需要24 h。2)各物理量的扰动增长率、相关系数以及增长模进入非线性稳定阶段的时间大致相同,但对于同一等压面不同物理量或同一物理量不同等压面,每个参数达到非线性稳定后的数值大小及演变规律存在差异,且随时间演变均伴有日内振荡现象。3)对于扰动振幅相同但初始随机模态不同的初值集合,不同随机模态对扰动培育的影响主要是在扰动的非线性稳定阶段,而在快速的线性增长阶段,它们之间的差异很小。4)对于初始随机模态相同但振幅不同的初值集合,不同扰动振幅对扰动演变的影响主要是在扰动的快速线性增长阶段,而在非线性稳定阶段,它们之间的差异很小,并且不同初始振幅对扰动进入非线性稳定阶段的时间基本没有影响。     

Three-Dimensional Structure of Optimal Nonlinear Excitation for Decadal Variability of the Thermohaline Circulation

The decadal variability of the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation（THC） is investigated within a three-dimensional ocean circulation model using the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation method. The results show that the optimal initial perturbations of temperature and salinity exciting the strongest decadal THC variations have similar structures： the perturbations are mainly in the northwestern basin at a depth ranging from 1500 to 3000 m. These temperature and salinity perturbations act as the optimal precursors for future modifications of the THC, highlighting the importance of observations in the northwestern basin to monitor the variations of temperature and salinity at depth. The decadal THC variation in the nonlinear model initialized by the optimal salinity perturbations is much stronger than that caused by the optimal temperature perturbations, indicating that salinity variations might play a relatively important role in exciting the decadal THC variability. Moreover, the decadal THC variations in the tangent linear and nonlinear models show remarkably different characteristics, suggesting the importance of nonlinear processes in the decadal variability of the THC.     

Sensitivity to Tendency Perturbations of Tropical Cyclone Short-range Intensity Forecasts Generated by WRF

The present study uses the nonlinear singular vector(NFSV)approach to identify the optimally-growing tendency perturbations of the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF)model for tropical cyclone(TC)intensity forecasts.For nine selected TC cases,the NFSV-tendency perturbations of the WRF model,including components of potential temperature and/or moisture,are calculated when TC intensities are forecasted with a 24-hour lead time,and their respective potential temperature components are demonstrated to have more impact on the TC intensity forecasts.The perturbations coherently show barotropic structure around the central location of the TCs at the 24-hour lead time,and their dominant energies concentrate in the middle layers of the atmosphere.Moreover,such structures do not depend on TC intensities and subsequent development of the TC.The NFSV-tendency perturbations may indicate that the model uncertainty that is represented by tendency perturbations but associated with the inner-core of TCs,makes larger contributions to the TC intensity forecast uncertainty.Further analysis shows that the TC intensity forecast skill could be greatly improved as preferentially superimposing an appropriate tendency perturbation associated with the sensitivity of NFSVs to correct the model,even if using a WRF with coarse resolution.     

区域集合预报扰动方法研究进展综述

集合预报方法是解决单一数值预报不确定性问题的有效手段,而针对强天气预报的中尺度区域集合预报技术已逐渐受到国内外的重视。对于区域集合预报而言,由于其不确定性来源较为复杂,如何发展有效的扰动方法是研究的热点和难点。本文根据国内外区域集合预报的研究进展,从初值扰动、模式扰动以及侧边界扰动三个方面进行了总结和回顾,并对扰动方法的发展趋势进行了介绍。对于初值扰动,较为主流的方法有动力降尺度,沿用传统的由全球集合扰动方法发展而来的技术为区域集合产生初值,以及专门为区域集合设计的扰动方法。鉴于这些方法各有利弊,目前对于初值扰动方法的研究已经开始发展充分包含大尺度和小尺度不确定性信息的混合扰动方法。区域集合预报模式扰动的研究以物理过程扰动为主,典型方法为多物理过程组合以及随机物理过程扰动,其中多物理过程组合方法简单有效,而随机物理过程扰动方法的物理意义更为明确,是物理过程扰动的趋势。通过多模式组合进行模式扰动的方法也开展了一些相关研究,且对于台风等强天气预报均显示出相对于单模式集合较好的效果。侧边界扰动的主流方法是由大尺度集合预报场来为区域集合提供不同的侧边界,研究结果表明此种侧边界扰动方法简便易行,且有助于提高区域集合预报较长预报时效离散度和预报技巧。     

初始扰动对一次华南暴雨预报的影响的研究

本文选取了2006年华南前汛期的一次暴雨过程, 采用AREMv2.3中尺度数值模式进行数值模拟, 分别在模式初始场的物理量场 (温度场、 风场、 湿度场) 上加扰动, 分析不同物理量场上的扰动对降水预报的影响, 以及物理量预报误差和扰动能量的增长情况。同时, 通过本个例讨论误差增长与湿对流的关系, 扰动振幅对误差增长的影响和华南区域的中尺度降水的可预报性问题。数值试验结果表明: 初始时刻不同物理量场加实际振幅的正态分布的随机扰动时, 对降水的影响是不同的。对于24小时降水预报, 温度场对降水的影响最大。误差的增长与湿对流不稳定有着密切的关系。小尺度小振幅误差增长很快, 而且是非线性增长。这意味着短期的较小尺度降水的可预报性很小。与大振幅扰动相比, 小振幅扰动造成的误差较小。但是小振幅扰动的迅速发展, 很快就会对降水预报造成较大的影响。因此, 只能有限地提高预报质量, 而且由于扰动非线性增长很快, 在预报时间的提前上, 不会有太大的改善。     

条件非线性最优扰动在可预报性问题研究中的应用

本文总结了近年来条件非线性最优扰动方法的应用研究的主要进展.主要包括四个方面:(1)将条件非线性最优扰动(CNOP)方法拓展到既考虑初始扰动又考虑模式参数扰动,形成了拓展的CNOP方法.拓展的CNOP方法不仅能够应用于研究分别由初始误差和模式参数误差导致的可预报性问题,而且能够用于探讨初始误差和模式参数误差同时存在的情形;(2)将拓展的CNOP方法分别应用于ENSO和黑潮可预报性研究,考察了初始误差和模式参数误差对其可预报性的影响,揭示了初始误差在导致ENSO和黑潮大弯曲路径预报不确定性中的重要作用;(3)考察了阻塞事件发生的最优前期征兆(OPR)以及导致其预报不确定性的最优增长初始误差(OGR),揭示了OPR和OGR空间模态及其演变机制的相似性及其局地性特征;(4)研究了台风预报的目标观测问题,用CNOP方法确定了台风预报的目标观测敏感区,通过观测系统模拟试验(OSSEs)和/或观测系统试验(OSEs),表明了CNOP敏感区在改进台风预报中的有效性.具体地,台风OGR的主要误差分布在某一特定区域,空间分布具有明显的局地性特征,在台风OGR的局地性区域增加观测,有效改进了台风的预报技巧,该区域代表了台风预报的初值敏感区.事实上,上述El Ni(n)o事件、黑潮路径变异以及阻塞事件的OGR的空间分布也具有明显的局地性特征,这些事件的OGR刻画的局地性区域可能也代表了初值敏感区.     

Algorithm Studies on How to Obtain a Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbation (CNOP)

The conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation (CNOP), which is a nonlinear generalization of the linear singular vector (LSV), is applied in important problems of atmospheric and oceanic sciences, including ENSO predictability, targeted observations, and ensemble forecast. In this study, we investigate the computational cost of obtaining the CNOP by several methods. Differences and similarities, in terms of the computational error and cost in obtaining the CNOP, are compared among the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm, the limited memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (L-BFGS) algorithm, and the spectral projected gradients (SPG2) algorithm. A theoretical grassland ecosystem model and the classical Lorenz model are used as examples. Numerical results demonstrate that the computational error is acceptable with all three algorithms. The computational cost to obtain the CNOP is reduced by using the SQP algorithm. The experimental results also reveal that the L-BFGS algorithm is the most effective algorithm among the three optimization algorithms for obtaining the CNOP. The numerical results suggest a new approach and algorithm for obtaining the CNOP for a large-scale optimization problem.     

Heavy Rainfall Ensemble Prediction： Initial Condition Perturbation vs Multi-Physics Perturbation

Mesoscale ensemble is an encouraging technology for improving the accuracy of heavy rainfall predictions. Occurrences of heavy rainfall are closely related to convective instability and topography. In mid-latitudes, perturbed initial fields for medium-range weather forecasts are often configured to focus on the baroclinic instability rather than the convective instability. Thus, alternative approaches to generate initial perturba- tions need to be developed to accommodate the uncertainty of the convective instability. In this paper, an initial condition perturbation approach to mesoscale heavy rainfall ensemble prediction, named as Different Physics Mode Method （DPMM）, is presented in detail. Based on the PSU/NCAR mesoscale model MM5, an ensemble prediction experiment on a typical heavy rainfall event in South China is carried out by using the DPMM, and the structure of the initial condition perturbation is analyzed. Further, the DPMM ensem- ble prediction is compared with a multi-physics ensemble prediction, and the results show that the initial perturbation fields from the DPMM have a reasonable mesoscale circulation structure and could reflect the prediction uncertainty in the sensitive regions of convective instability. An evaluation of the DPMM ini- tial condition perturbation indicates that the DPMM method produces better ensemble members than the multi-physics perturbation method, and can significantly improve the precipitation forecast than the control non-ensemble run.     

陆面特征量初始扰动的敏感性及集合预报试验

文章利用中尺度模式Weather Research and Forecasting Model(WRF)3.2.1版本及National Centers for Environmental Prediction(NCEP)分析资料,研究了陆面变量(土壤湿度、土壤温度)和陆面参数(植被覆盖率)初始场随机扰动对长江中下游暴雨预报的影响并进行了集合预报试验。试验结果表明,短期暴雨过程对陆面变量(参数)扰动是敏感的;陆面变量(参数)初始场扰动影响降水的时间尺度小于10 h甚至可以小于6 h。从影响机理上来看,陆面变量(参数)扰动首先改变地表的潜热通量和感热通量,而地表通量的改变会通过陆气相互作用对局地大气的温、压、湿、风产生较大影响,从而对暴雨的强度和落区产生较大影响。集合预报结果表明,利用陆面变量(参数)扰动制作集合预报,预报的集合平均结果要好于控制预报的结果,且比集合成员稳定可靠,降水概率预报可以提供一些有用的信息,对预报强降水有一定的指示意义。在初值集合预报中,以这些参数或变量的扰动来引进集合成员是十分有意义的。     

Ensemble Forecasts of Tropical Cyclone Track with Orthogonal Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbations

This paper preliminarily investigates the application of the orthogonal conditional nonlinear optimal perturbations(CNOPs)–based ensemble forecast technique in MM5(Fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model). The results show that the ensemble forecast members generated by the orthogonal CNOPs present large spreads but tend to be located on the two sides of real tropical cyclone(TC) tracks and have good agreements between ensemble spreads and ensemble-mean forecast errors for TC tracks. Subsequently, these members reflect more reasonable forecast uncertainties and enhance the orthogonal CNOPs–based ensemble-mean forecasts to obtain higher skill for TC tracks than the orthogonal SVs(singular vectors)–, BVs(bred vectors)– and RPs(random perturbations)–based ones. The results indicate that orthogonal CNOPs of smaller magnitudes should be adopted to construct the initial ensemble perturbations for short lead–time forecasts, but those of larger magnitudes should be used for longer lead–time forecasts due to the effects of nonlinearities. The performance of the orthogonal CNOPs–based ensemble-mean forecasts is case-dependent,which encourages evaluating statistically the forecast skill with more TC cases. Finally, the results show that the ensemble forecasts with only initial perturbations in this work do not increase the forecast skill of TC intensity, which may be related with both the coarse model horizontal resolution and the model error.     

Identifying uncertainties in Arctic climate change projections

Wide ranging climate changes are expected in the Arctic by the end of the 21st century, but projections of the size of these changes vary widely across current global climate models. This variation represents a large source of uncertainty in our understanding of the evolution of Arctic climate. Here we systematically quantify and assess the model uncertainty in Arctic climate changes in two CO₂ doubling experiments: a multimodel ensemble (CMIP3) and an ensemble constructed using a single model (HadCM3) with multiple parameter perturbations (THC-QUMP). These two ensembles allow us to assess the contribution that both structural and parameter variations across models make to the total uncertainty and to begin to attribute sources of uncertainty in projected changes. We find that parameter uncertainty is an major source of uncertainty in certain aspects of Arctic climate. But also that uncertainties in the mean climate state in the 20th century, most notably in the northward Atlantic ocean heat transport and Arctic sea ice volume, are a significant source of uncertainty for projections of future Arctic change. We suggest that better observational constraints on these quantities will lead to significant improvements in the precision of projections of future Arctic climate change.     

The impact of nonlinear stability and instability on the validity of the tangent linear model

l.Intr0ducti0nTheequationsgoverningthemotionsoftheatmosphereandoceanaren0nlinear0nes.Itisdiffcultandcomplicatedtodealwiththenonlinearproblem.Sothetangentlinearmodel(TLM),whichisobtainedbylinearizingthenonlinearmodelinthevicinityofthebasicflow.iswidelyutilizedinthetheoreticalresearchandpracticalimplementationintheatmosphericandoceanicsciences.First-TLMcanbeusedtoestimatetheev0luti0nofsmallPerturbati0nsinaf0recastmodel.Second,itisadoptedinextendedKalmanfilterinthedataassimilation(Evensen,l99…     

A Preliminary Application of the Differential Evolution Algorithm to Calculate the CNOP

A projected skill is adopted by use of the differential evolution （DE） algorithm to calculate a conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation （CNOP）. The CNOP is the maximal value of a constrained optimization problem with a constraint condition, such as a ball constraint. The success of the DE algorithm lies in its ability to handle a non-differentiable and nonlinear cost function. In this study, the DE algorithm and the traditional optimization algorithms used to obtain the CNOPs are compared by analyzing a theoretical grassland ecosystem model and a dynamic global vegetation model. This study shows that the CNOPs generated by the DE algorithm are similar to those by the sequential quadratic programming （SQP） algorithm and the spectral projected gradients （SPG2） algorithm. If the cost function is non-differentiable, the CNOPs could also be caught with the DE algorithm. The numerical results suggest the DE algorithm can be employed to calculate the CNOP, especially when the cost function is non-differentiable.     

Study on ETKF-Based Initial Perturbation Scheme for GRAPES Global Ensemble Prediction

Initial perturbation scheme is one of the important problems for ensemble prediction. In this paper, ensemble initial perturbation scheme for Global/Regional Assimilation and PrEdiction System (GRAPES) global ensemble prediction is developed in terms of the ensemble transform Kalman filter (ETKF) method.A new GRAPES global ensemble prediction system (GEPS) is also constructed. The spherical simplex 14-member ensemble prediction experiments, using the simulated observation network and error characteristics of simulated observations and innovation-based in ation, are carried out for about two months. The structure characters and perturbation amplitudes of the ETKF initial perturbations and the perturbation growth characters are analyzed, and their qualities and abilities for the ensemble initial perturbations are given. The preliminary experimental results indicate that the ETKF-based GRAPES ensemble initial perturbations could identify main normal structures of analysis error variance and reflect the perturbation amplitudes.The initial perturbations and the spread are reasonable. The initial perturbation variance, which is approximately equal to the forecast error variance, is found to respond to changes in the observational spatial variations with simulated observational network density. The perturbations generated through the simplex method are also shown to exhibit a very high degree of consistency between initial analysis and short-range forecast perturbations. The appropriate growth and spread of ensemble perturbations can be maintained up to 96-h lead time. The statistical results for 52-day ensemble forecasts show that the forecast scores ofensemble average for the Northern Hemisphere are higher than that of the control forecast. Provided that using more ensemble members, a real-time observational network and a more appropriate inflation factor,better effects of the ETKF-based initial scheme should be shown.