Canadian Land Surface Scheme
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Land Surface Scheme (CLASS) is a land surface parametrization scheme
for use in large scale climate models
. It is a state-of-the-art model, using physically based
equations to simulate the energy
and water
balances of vegetation
, snow
and soil
. CLASS is being developed in a research project led by D. Verseghy at the Canadian Atmospheric Environment Service.
Land-surface parameterisation model scheme
A land-surface model scheme is designed to simulate the exchange of surface water and energy fluxes at the soil-atmosphere interface.-See also:*CLASS*ISBA*JULES...
for use in large scale climate models
Global climate model
A General Circulation Model is a mathematical model of the general circulation of a planetary atmosphere or ocean and based on the Navier–Stokes equations on a rotating sphere with thermodynamic terms for various energy sources . These equations are the basis for complex computer programs commonly...
. It is a state-of-the-art model, using physically based
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
equations to simulate the energy
Energy balance
Energy balance may refer to:* First law of thermodynamics, according to which energy cannot be created or destroyed, only modified in form* Energy balance , a measurement of the biological homeostasis of energy in living systems...
and water
Water balance
In hydrology, a water balance equation can be used to describe the flow of water in and out of a system. A system can be one of several hydrological domains, such as a column of soil or a drainage basin....
balances of vegetation
Vegetation
Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region; it refers to the ground cover provided by plants. It is a general term, without specific reference to particular taxa, life forms, structure, spatial extent, or any other specific botanical or geographic characteristics. It is broader...
, snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
and soil
Soil
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
. CLASS is being developed in a research project led by D. Verseghy at the Canadian Atmospheric Environment Service.