A recent study tapped into the power of CISL supercomputers Cheyenne and Derecho to create virtual forests and provide valuable insights into the inner workings of these vital ecosystems. 

By employing advanced numerical simulations, researchers effectively separated the contributions of plants from those of the soil, a challenging task in real-world measurements. The team pioneered a methodology involving turbulence data readily available from atmospheric towers, offering a practical approach to long-term and large-scale monitoring. This research provides a clearer picture of how forests respond to stressors like droughts and heatwaves. 

The result is a better understanding of how forests influence our climate, and a newly available dataset offering years of detailed information for scientists across the globe. 

To learn more, read the CISL News story.