Current models and satellites struggle to accurately represent the land–atmosphere (L–A) interactions over the Tibetan Plateau. We present the most extensive compilation of in situ observations to date, comprising 17 years of data on L–A interactions across 12 sites. This quality-assured benchmark dataset provides independent validation to improve models and remote sensing for the region, and it enables new investigations of fine-scale L–A processes and their mechanistic drivers.

Accurately monitoring and understanding the spatial–temporal variability of evapotranspiration (ET) components over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) remains difficult. Here, 37 years (1982–2018) of monthly ET component data for the TP was produced, and the data are consistent with measurements. The annual average ET for the TP was about 0.93 (± 0.037) × 10³ Gt yr⁻¹. The rate of increase of the ET was around 0.96 mm yr⁻¹. The increase in the ET can be explained by warming and wetting of the climate.

In this paper, all-sky downwelling shortwave radiation (DSR) over the entire Tibetan Plateau (TP) at a spatial resolution of 1 km was estimated using an improved parameterization scheme. The influence of topography and different radiative attenuations were comprehensively taken into account. The derived DSR showed good agreement with in situ measurements. The accuracy was better than six other DSR products. The derived DSR also provided more reasonable and detailed spatial patterns.

Soil moisture and soil temperature (SMST) are important state variables for quantifying the heat–water exchange between land and atmosphere. Yet, long-term, regional-scale in situ SMST measurements at multiple depths are scarce on the Tibetan Plateau (TP). The presented dataset would be valuable for the evaluation and improvement of long-term satellite- and model-based SMST products on the TP, enhancing the understanding of TP hydrometeorological processes and their response to climate change.

Compared with the plain area, the land-atmosphere interaction on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is intense and complex, which affects the structure of the boundary layer. The observed height of the convective boundary layer on the TP under the influence of the southern branch of the westerly wind was higher than that during the Asian monsoon season. The height of the boundary layer was positively correlated with the sensible heat flux and negatively correlated with latent heat flux.

The source region of the Yellow River has an important role in issues related to water resources, ecological environment, and climate changes in China. We utilized large eddy simulation to understand whether the surface heterogeneity promotes or inhibits the boundary-layer turbulence, the great contribution of the thermal circulations induced by surface heterogeneity to the water and heat exchange between land/lake and air. Moreover, the turbulence in key locations is characterized.