The importance of vegetation in understanding terrestrial water storage variations

Abstract. So far, various studies have aimed at decomposing the integrated terrestrial water storage variations observed by satellite gravimetry (GRACE, GRACE-FO) with help of large-scale hydrological models. While results decomposition depend on model structure, little attention has been given to impact way that vegetation is represented in these Although structure and activity represent crucial link between water, carbon, energy cycles, their representation models remains a major source uncertainty. At same time, increasing availability quality Earth-observation-based data provide valuable information good prospects for improving simulations gaining better insights into role within global cycle. In this study, we use observation-based such as indices rooting depths spatializing parameters simple define infiltration, root uptake, transpiration processes. The are further constrained considering observations anomalies (TWS), soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET) gridded runoff (Q) estimates multi-criteria calibration approach. We assess implications including varying characteristics simulation results, particular focus partitioning components. To isolate effect vegetation, compare experiment which vary space time baseline all calibrated static, globally uniform values. Both experiments show overall performance, but explicitly leads even performance more physically plausible parameter largest improvements regarding TWS ET seen supply-limited (semi-arid) regions tropics, whereas Q improve mainly northern latitudes. total fluxes storages similar, accounting substantially changes contributions different components variations. This suggests an important interpreting Our indicate deeper moisture groundwater–soil moisture–vegetation interactions key understanding highlight need identify adequate rather than only reasonable interpretation vegetation–water interactions.