A global archive of land cover and soils data for use in general circulation climate models

Abstract A new global archive of soil type and land cover data derived for use in GCM climate models is described. The data are archived al a resolution of 1° latitude × 1° longitude. The method of construction of the component data sets is given together with ‘reliability estimates’. The soils data form the only published data set designed specifically for use in climate studies. The land cover data are compatible with the soils data, forming a coherent and complete data set and seem to be comparable with other land cover information. Recommendations are made about combining and coarsening the data to the grid of any general circulation climate model. Methods of parameterizing surface radiative and hydrological properties in climate models are proposed.