Model
Overview
The Global Dynamical and Structural Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (GDSTEM) is a process-based model designed to simulate terrestrial ecosystem dynamics at the global scale.
It combines:
- Biogeochemical cycling
- Vegetation structural dynamics
- Land-use transitions
Model Structure
Figure 1. Conceptual schematic of the GDSTEM model showing major components and fluxes.
GDSTEM simulates carbon storage and fluxes across:
- Leaves
- Roots
- Wood (sapwood and heartwood)
- Soil organic carbon pools
Key fluxes include:
- Gross Primary Production (GPP)
- Net Primary Production (NPP)
- Ecosystem respiration
- Net Biome Production (NBP)
Land-Use Dynamics
Land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) is a central feature of GDSTEM, which tracks land use history using a cohort approach.
Figure 1. Example of how GDSTEM tracks historical land-use change through its cohort approach.
The model tracks transitions between:
- Primary vegetation
- Secondary vegetation
- C3 crops
- C4 crops
- Perennial crops
- Pasture
- Rangeland
- Urban land
These transitions modify the vegetation structure, trigger disturbance processes, and influence water, carbon, nitrogen, and energy fluxes.
Model Code
The source code of GDSTEM used on the Global Carbon Budget 2025 is available on GitHub: https://github.com/UCDglobalchange/gdstem-trendyv14
Documentation (coming soon)
We are currently working on a description and evaluation manuscript.