Scatterplots and associated linear least-squared relationships
between radar estimates of the initiation of the
growing season and annual GPP, Raut and NPP results are
presented in Fig. 8. Overall, radar remote sensing-based
estimates of the initiation of the growing season accounted
for most (>78%) of the spatial and temporal variation in
BIOME-BGC simulations of annual GPP and Raut across the
10 sites and 2-year study period. The relatively strong
correspondence and inverse nature of these relationships
indicate that earlier springs and associated longer growing
seasons promote greater GPP, Raut and associated NPP, while
delayed springs and associated shorter growing seasons
promote the opposite response. Additionally, higher latitude
sites tend to have later springs, shorter growing seasons and
lower estimated GPP, Raut and NPP than lower latitude sites.