1. MAHASRI activity plan in NE Asia Terrestrial Env. Research Center Tsukuba University Jun Asanuma

2. RAISE (Rangelands Atmosphere-Hydrosphere-Biosphere Interaction Study Experiment in Northeastern Asia) Period: 2001/12-2006/11 (Obs. 2002-: IOP 2003) Objectives: Better understandings of the interaction between hydrosphere, atmosphere in the targeted region, and biosphere and human impact on it. Target Area: upper Kherlen river basin “ snap-shot ” view of hydrologic, ecological and atmospheric system of the region

3. MAHASRI NE Asia activity plan Research targets ： “ Interannual variability ” of hydroclimatorolgy with longer-time series of broader region

4. Background: Large Precipitation Variability – time & space Annual precipitation 50-100 mm 300-400 mm Large spatial variability Large temporal variability at KBU figures by T. Sato, CCSR, Tokyo Univ figures by H. Iwasaki, Gunma Univ. whole Mongolia average at KBU 2003

5. Background: Strong meridional transition of vegetation “packed” eco-tone: vulnerability Desert Semidesert Short grass Forest/Field Mosaic Deciduous shrubs figures by T. Sato, CCSR, Tokyo Univ

6. Projected Decreasing Precipitation in Future Precip [mm/mon] decrease increase July Method (2) RCM.hindCTL - RCM.hindWM (2070s-1990s) decreasing precipitation figures by T. Sato, CCSR, Tokyo Univ

7. Research targets Rainfall variability (time & space) Diurnal variation in conjuction with rainfall process inter-annual variations, intra-annual variations in conjunction with the monsoon variability Soil moisture and vegetation control of Landsurface processes vegetation variability, soil-moisture dynamics and their control on the landsurface processes the response of larch forest to the external forcing

8. Precipitation Soil Moisture Evapotranspiration GroundwaterRiver Flow Land surface processes Infiltration Inter- and intra-annual variation of precipitation Soil moisture and vegetation control on land surface processes Redistribution, infiltration, river discharge and grandwater flow in semi-arid region Vegetation Sattelite monitoring of vegetation and soil moisture Landsurface feedbacks Research flow

9. Observation plans 1 Kherlen river basin: monitoring continued the 2 tower sites (CEOP2 reference sites, 2007-2010) Forest siteGrassland site (KBU)

10. Observation plans 2 ULB region (in cooperation with IORGC): Radar data (near ULB airport), rain gauge mesonet (will be setup) groundwater monitoring (in cooperation with UNESCO-IHP) Satellite monitoring of vegetation and soil moisture validation with the surface obs. Some data will be open to the public through CEOP 2 data archive.

11. Supporting Funds No Funds, so far. partial support from TERC (Terrestrial Env. Research Center, Tsukuba University) project fund (FY2006-2010) Grant-in-aid for Scientific Research (FY2007-2010) submitted to JSPS (Japan Soc. for Promotion of Science) continuing to applying......