Climate models as a test bed for climate reconstruction methods

Pseudoproxy experiments

Bibliographic Data

ID12929612
AuthorsJason E Smerdon (0000-0001-6276-0249, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, corresponding author)
Year2011
Volume3
Issue1
Pages63-77
Publication date2011-12-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueWiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Climate Change (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1757-7780 • E-ISSN: 1757-7799
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/wcc.149
OpenAlexW2097825069
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited93

Millennium‐length, forced transient simulations with fully coupled general circulation models have become important new tools for addressing uncertainties in global and hemispheric temperature reconstructions targeting the Common Era (the last two millennia). These model simulations are used as test beds on which to evaluate the performance of paleoclimate reconstruction methods using controlled and systematic investigations known as pseudoproxy experiments (PPEs). Such experiments are motivated by the fact that any given real‐world reconstruction is the product of multiple uncontrolled factors, making it difficult to isolate the impact of one factor in reconstruction assessments and comparisons. PPEs have established a common experimental framework that can be systematically altered and evaluated, and thus test reconstruction methods and their dependencies. Although the translation of PPE results into real‐world implications must be done cautiously, their experimental design attributes allow researchers to test reconstruction techniques beyond what was previously possible with real‐world data alone. This review summarizes the development of PPEs and their findings over the last decade. The state of the science and its implications for global and hemispheric temperature reconstructions is also reviewed, as well as near‐term design improvements that will expand the utility of PPEs. WIREs Clim Change 2012, 3:63–77. doi: 10.1002/wcc.149 This article is categorized under: Climate Models and Modeling > Knowledge Generation with Models

Climate change · Climate model · Climatology · Data mining · Data science · Econometrics · General Circulation Model · Machine learning · Test (biology · Climate variability and models · Computer Science · Mathematics · Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics · Tree-ring climate responses · Artificial Intelligence · Geology · Paleontology