Evaluating the accuracy of VEMAP daily weather data for application in crop simulations on a regional scale

摘要: Abstract Weather plays a critical role in eco-environmental and agricultural systems. Limited availability of meteorological records often constrains the applications simulation models related decision support tools. The Vegetation/Ecosystem Modeling Analysis Project (VEMAP) provides daily weather variables on 0.5 latitude–longitude grid across conterminous USA. Daily data from VEMAP (1961–1990) for state Georgia were compared with 52 individual ground stations National Service Cooperative Observer Program (COOP). Additionally, simulated crop grain yields soybean ( Glycine max ) using two sources. Averaged maximum minimum temperatures (Tmax Tmin, respectively), solar radiation (SRAD), precipitation (PPT) differed by 0.2 °C, −0.2 °C, 1.7 MJ m −2  d −1 , 0 mm, respectively. Mean absolute errors (MAEs) Tmax, SRAD, PPT 4.2 °C, 4.4 °C, 4.4 MJ m 6.1 mm, respectively, root mean squared (RMSEs) 5.5 °C, 5.9 °C, 5.8 MJ m 13.6 mm, Temperature differences lowest during summer months. Simulations yield sources strongly correlated r  = 0.68, p . RMSE was 714 kg ha Hybrid analyses indicated that variation mainly associated rainfall. results showed able to be adequately applied growth at spatial temporal scales, especially long-term climate change research. Overall, appears promising source modeling concerned scale 0.5° coordinate grid.