User guide for PRELES, a simple model for the assessment of gross primary production and water balance of forests

Abstract

Simple models of ecosystem processes are useful tools for various kind of ecosystem impact studies. We built a simple model of ecosystem gross primary production, evapotranspiration and soil water content, which requires minimal input data, and which is efficient to run. In this report, we briefly describe the model equations, document the model program and provide user guide for the current version of the model. We also use the model to run a few example simulations that describe how the model responds to the environment, and test the model predictions of soil water in reference conditions with ICP level II data on soil water. The model is intended to be used in large scale prediction of GPP, ET, and drought in the Climforisk EU Life+ project.