This application explores six bioclimatic variables relevant for grassland conservation and management over Europe, driven by CMIP5 climate projections (bias-adjusted to ERA5) from ten Global Circulation Models. Grassland suitability provides stakeholders within the agro-ecology sector with information about the climate impact on semi-natural grassland ecosystems to support management decisions.
The application's interactive map shows 20-year average climate suitability for three selected grassland species that are characteristic to semi-natural xeric grasslands, for two climate scenarios/experiments (Representative Concentration Pathways RCP4.5 (moderate scenario) and RCP8.5 (pessimistic scenario)). Clicking on a country displays time series graphs for the six bioclimatic variables relevant to the selected species' suitability.
The modelled climate suitability each of the three xeric grassland species is based on species-specific preferences for annual minimum temperature, annual precipitation and Koeppen-Geiger class.
User-selectable parameters
- Variable: The data visualised in the interactive map.
- Experiment: Emissions scenario, Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 (moderate) or 8.5 (high).
- Species: Grassland species for which to visualise climate suitability.
| INPUT VARIABLES |
| Name |
Units |
Description |
Source |
| Annual mean temperature (BIO01) |
K |
Annual mean of the daily mean temperature at 2 m above the surface. This indicator corresponds to the official BIOCLIM variable BIO01 that is used in ecological niche modelling. |
Bioclimatic indicators |
| Annual precipitation (BIO12) |
m s-1 |
Annual mean of the daily mean precipitation rate (both liquid and solid phases). This indicator corresponds to the official BIOCLIM variable BIO12. To compute the total precipitation sum over the year, a conversion factor should be applied of 3600x24x365x1000 (mm year-1). |
Bioclimatic indicators |
| Dry days |
day |
Number of days within a year where total daily precipitation does not exceed 2 mm. |
Bioclimatic indicators |
| Frost days |
day |
Number of days during the growing season with minimum temperature below 273 K (0 oC). |
Bioclimatic indicators |
| Growing degree days |
K day year-1 |
The sum of daily degrees above the daily mean temperature of 278 K (5 oC). |
Bioclimatic indicators |
| Koeppen-Geiger class |
Dimensionless |
A climate classification that divides worldwide climates into separate classes depending on temperature and precipitation thresholds. |
Bioclimatic indicators |
| Monthly mean precipitation |
m s-1 |
Average over the daily mean precipitation. The data is aggregated over the month and the year. To compute the total precipitation sum over the aggregation period, a conversion factor should be applied of 3600x24x1000x30.4 (average number of days per month) or x365 (average number of days per year). |
Bioclimatic indicators |
| OUTPUT VARIABLES |
| Name |
Units |
Description |
| Annual mean temperature |
K |
The 20-year mean of the annual mean temperature at 2 m above the surface. |
| Annual precipitation |
m s-1 |
The 20-year mean of the annual mean precipitation rate. |
| Climate suitability |
Dimensionless |
Climate suitability (0-1) for different grassland species in accordance to the above bioclimate indicators, where 0 is completely climatically unsuitable and 1 means completely climatically suitable. |
| Dry days |
day |
The 20-year mean of the number of days within a year where total daily precipitation does not exceed 2 mm. |
| Frost days |
day |
The 20-year mean of the number of days during the growing season with minimum temperature below 273 K (0 oC). |
| Growing degree days |
K day year-1 |
The 20-year mean of the sum of daily degrees above the daily mean temperature of 278 K (5 oC). |
| Koeppen-Geiger class |
Dimensionless |
The 20-year mean of a climate classification that divides worldwide climates into separate classes depending on temperature and precipitation thresholds. |
| Monthly mean precipitation |
m s-1 |
The 20-year mean of monthly mean precipitation. |
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