Multi-model hydrological reference dataset over continental Europe and an African basin

Area of Science:

• Earth System Science
• Hydrology
• Climate Science
• Remote Sensing

Background:

• Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) are crucial for scientific and policy decisions.
• Terrestrial ECVs are not yet treated in an integrated manner by Earth Observation (EO) and Land Surface and Hydrologic Model (LSM/HM) communities.
• Greater collaboration between EO and LSM/HM communities is needed for consistent terrestrial ECVs at regional and continental scales.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a new hydrological reference dataset for assessing LSM/HM simulation uncertainty.
• To provide a benchmark for generating consistent terrestrial ECVs through the integration of EO products.
• To foster collaboration between EO and LSM/HM communities.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of 19 state-of-the-art LSM/HM simulations.
• Simulations provided on a daily time step, covering Europe (Rhine, Po basins) and Africa (Tugela basin).
• Uniform formatting for cross-simulation comparisons and validation with discharge, evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and total water storage anomaly observations.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive hydrological reference dataset is established.
• The dataset represents the current state-of-the-art in LSM/HM simulations.
• Simulations are validated against multiple terrestrial hydrological observations.

Conclusions:

• The developed dataset is a valuable tool for assessing LSM/HM uncertainty.
• It serves as a benchmark for generating consistent terrestrial ECVs.
• The dataset supports policy development and promotes integration between EO and LSM/HM communities.