PMIP4/CMIP6 last interglacial simulations using three different versions of MIROC: importance of vegetation

Abstract. We carry out three sets of last interglacial (LIG) experiments, named lig127k, and pre-industrial piControl, both as part PMIP4/CMIP6 using versions the MIROC model: MIROC4m, MIROC4m-LPJ, MIROC-ES2L. The results are compared with reconstructions from climate proxy data. All models show summer warming over northern high-latitude land, reflecting differences between distributions LIG present-day solar irradiance. Globally averaged temperature changes ?0.94 K (MIROC4m), ?0.39 (MIROC4m-LPJ), ?0.43 (MIROC-ES2L). Only which includes dynamical vegetation feedback change in distribution, shows annual mean signals at high latitudes, indicated by In contrast, latest Earth system model (ESM) MIROC, MIROC-ES2L, considers only a partial effect through leaf area index, no or even cooling large parts Northern Hemisphere. Results series experiments that inclusion full is necessary for reproduction strong land latitudes. experimental predicted still underestimated, vegetation, to data, suggesting further investigation improvement mechanism needed.