Global sensitivity analysis of DRAINMOD-FOREST, an integrated forest ecosystem model

Global sensitivity analysis is a useful tool to understand process-based ecosystem models by identifying key parameters and processes controlling model predictions. This study reported a comprehensive global sensitivity analysis for DRAINMOD-FOREST, an integrated model for simulating water, carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) cycles and plant growth in lowland forests. The analysis was carried out for multiple long-term model predictions of hydrology, biogeochemistry, and plant growth. Results showed that long-term mean hydrological predictions were highly sensitive to several key plant physiological parameters. Long-term mean annual soil organic C content and mineralization rate were mainly controlled by temperature-related parameters for soil organic matter decomposition. Mean annual forest productivity and N uptake were found to be mainly dependent upon plant production-related parameters, including canopy quantum use efficiency and carbon use efficiency. Mean annual nitrate loss was highly sensitive to parameters controlling both hydrology and plant production, while mean annual dissolved organic nitrogen loss was controlled by parameters associated with its production and physical sorption. Parameters controlling forest production, C allocation, and specific leaf area highly affected long-term mean annual leaf area. Results of this study could help minimize the efforts needed for calibrating DRAINMOD-FOREST. Meanwhile, this study demonstrates the critical role of plants in regulating water, C, and N cycles in forest ecosystems and highlights the necessity of incorporating a dynamic plant growth model for comprehensively simulating hydrological and biogeochemical processes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.