Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN)


MEGAN is a modeling system for estimating the net emission of gases and aerosols from terrestrial ecosystems into the atmosphere. Driving variables include landcover, weather, and atmospheric chemical composition. MEGAN is a global model with a base resolution of ~ 1 km and so is suitable for regional and global models. A FORTRAN code is available for generating emission estimates for the CMAQ regional air quality model. The algorithms have also been incorporated as an on-line component in several regional and global chemistry and transport models. Global distributions of landcover variables (Emission Factors, Leaf Area Index, and Plant Functional Types) are available for spatial resolutions ranging from ~ 1 to 100 km and in several formats (ARCGIS, netcdf).

It should be noted that running this version of MEGAN requires both access to and knowledge of a Unix operating system and working knowledge of FORTRAN. If you need to regrid the MEGAN input files then you will also need knowledge/access to Python computer language and ESRI ArcMAP software (or some alternative regridding software). Users who have never been exposed to Unix-type operating systems (i.e., if you are only familiar with Windows) unfortunately will find it difficult to run MEGAN. Although you do not need to be a computer programmer to run the model, you should have a basic understanding of computer programming and Unix (i.e., you should know how to unzip/untar files and other basic commands in Unix, install libraries and link files within Unix, and know basic FORTRAN commands such as how to invoke a code). If you need to regrid landcover data then you should also be familiar with (and have access to) ArcMAP or a similar program. In summary, you should have a working knowledge of ArcMap, Unix, FORTRAN, and Python before attempting to use MEGAN. We have listed information and resources at the bottom of this page that we hope will be helpful to those individuals interested in learning more about the tools and programs necessary to run MEGAN.


Further Information

MEGAN Model Home Page: http://lar.wsu.edu/megan/

MEGAN model

Schematic of MEGAN2.1 model components and driving variables.

Select Model Development Publications:

  • Guenther, A. B., Jiang, X., Heald, C. L., Sakulyanontvittaya, T., Duhl, T., Emmons, L. K., and Wang, X.: The Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature version 2.1 (MEGAN2.1): an extended and updated framework for modeling biogenic emissions, Geosci. Model Dev. Discuss., 5, 1503-1560, doi:10.5194/gmdd-5-1503-2012, 2012.
  • Stavrakou, T., Guenther, A., Razavi, A., Clarisse, L., Clerbaux, C., Coheur, P.-F., Hurtmans, D., Karagulian, F., De Mazire, M., Vigouroux, C., Amelynck, C., Schoon, N., Laffineur, Q.,Heinesch, B., Aubinet, M., Rinsland, C., and Mueller, J.-F.: First space-based derivation of the global atmospheric methanol emission fluxes, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 4873-4898, doi:10.5194/acp-11-4873-2011, 2011.
  • Boy, M., A. Sogachev, J. Lauros, L. Zhou, A. Guenther, and S. Smolander, SOSA - a new model to simulate the concentrations of organic vapours and sulphuric acid inside the ABL - Part 1: Model description and initial evaluation, Atmos. Chem. Phys. J1 - ACP, 11 (1), 43-51, 2011.
  • Millet, D. B., Guenther, A., Siegel, D. A., Nelson, N. B., Singh, H. B., de Gouw, J. A., Warneke, C., Williams, J., Eerdekens, G., Sinha, V., Karl, T., Flocke, F., Apel, E., Riemer, D. D., Palmer, P. I., and Barkley, M.: Global atmospheric budget of acetaldehyde: 3-D model analysis and constraints from in-situ and satellite observations, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 3405-3425, doi:10.5194/acp-10-3405-2010, 2010.
  • Emmons, L. K., Walters, S., Hess, P. G., Lamarque, J.-F., Pfister, G. G., Fillmore, D., Granier, C., Guenther, A., Kinnison, D., Laepple, T., Orlando, J., Tie, X., Tyndall, G., Wiedinmyer, C., Baughcum, S. L., and Kloster, S.: Description and evaluation of the Model for Ozone and Related chemical Tracers, version 4 (MOZART-4), Geosci. Model Dev., 3, 43-67, 2010.

Select BioEarth-Relevant Publications:

  • Geng, F., X. Tie, A. Guenther, G. Li, J. Cao, and P. Harley, Effect of isoprene emissions from major forests on ozone formation in the city of Shanghai, China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 10449-10459, 2011.
  • Kurtén, T., et al. (2011), Large methane releases lead to strong aerosol forcing and reduced cloudiness, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11(14), 6961-6969.
  • Wang X., Situ S., A. Guenther, F. Chen, Z. Wu and B. Xia, Study of spatiotemporal variability of biogenic terpenoid emissions with high-resolution land-cover and meteorological data, Tellus 63B, 241-254, 2011.
  • Chen, J., J. Avise, A. Guenther, C. Wiedinmyer, E. Salathe, R. Jackson and B. Lamb, Future land use and land cover influences on regional biogenic emissions and air quality in the United States, Atmospheric Environment, 43, 5771-5780, 2009.
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