Evaluation of MSG-derived global radiation estimates for application in a regional crop model

Crop monitoring systems that rely on agrometeorologic models need estimates of global radiation which are difficult to obtain to the limited number of weather stations which measure this variable. Within this study, we validate the global radiation estimates derived from MeteoSat Second Generation (MSG) and evaluate their use in the European Crop Growth Monitoring System (CGMS). Validation with measurements from CarboEurope flux towers and operational weather stations demonstrate that the MSG estimates are accurate and unbiased (standard deviation of 30 to 60 W/m2) over Europe. Next, an intercomparison between the radiation estimates from MSG, ECMWF (ERA-INTERIM) and interpolated weather stations measurements (CGMS), demonstrate that the MSG and ECMWF products are consistent, while the CGMS product shows irregular patterns of local over- and underestimation. Finally, when applying the WOFOST crop model for maize over Europe, the simulated potential total biomass increases due to higher estimates of global radiation by MSG. In contrast, the water-limited simulated total-biomass is generally decreasing due to a higher reference evapotranspiration causing faster depletion of the soil moisture resulting in increased water stress.

ROERINK G.J.;  BOJANOWSKI Jedrzej;  DE WIT Allard;  EERENS Herman;  SUPIT Iwan;  LEO Olivier;  BOOGAARD Hendrik; 

2012-04-20

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

JRC65566

0168-1923,   

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168192312000718,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC65566,   

10.1016/j.agrformet.2012.02.006,