Validation of Narccap climate products for forest resource applications in the southeast United States

A validation study of North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCARP) climate simulations is conducted for selected Unites States Forest Service (USFS) sites in the southeastern USA. Preliminary results focus on qualitative comparisons of seasonal and monthly data from NARCCAP simulations and the NCEP North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR). Additional analyses extend current validation efforts to more quantitative methods incorporating seasonal and monthly time-series plots of variables (e.g., low-level humidity, temperature, precipitation) applicable to forest resource diagnostics and prediction. The validation studies are precursors to current research to assess the vulnerability of southeastern forest cover and fire loads to climate change. Anticipated outcomes from this research will be useful for decision support and policy development by national, state, and local stakeholders.