Modeling Denitrification: Can We Report What We Don't Know?

Biogeochemical models simulate soil nitrogen (N) turnover and are often used to assess N losses through denitrification. Though models simulate a complete N budget, often only a subset of N pools/fluxes (i.e., N2O, NH3, NOx) are published since the full budget cannot be validated with measured data. Field studies rarely include full N balances, especially N-2 fluxes, which are difficult to quantify. Limiting publication of modeling results based on available field data represents a missed opportunity to improve the understanding of modeled processes. We propose that the modeler community support publication of all simulated N pools and processes in future studies.

Automated summary

Biogeochemical models simulate soil nitrogen turnover and are often used to assess nitrogen losses through denitrification. However, only a subset of nitrogen pools and fluxes are typically published due to the inability to validate the full nitrogen budget with measured data. This limitation in publication restricts the opportunity to improve understanding of modeled processes. The authors propose that the modeler community should support the publication of all simulated nitrogen pools and processes in future studies.