SoilTemp: A global database of near-surface temperature.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Climate Science

Background:

• Ecological studies often use interpolated climate data from weather stations, which represent long-term averages at coarse spatial scales.
• This approach overlooks crucial microclimatic factors affecting ground-level organisms and ecosystem processes.
• Factors like observation height, vegetation, snow, soil characteristics, and habitat exposure to radiation, moisture, and wind are critical but often ignored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the gap in fine-scale microclimatic data for ecological forecasting.
• To call for submissions of temperature time series data to the SoilTemp global database.
• To improve the understanding of microclimate and its impact on organisms and ecosystems.

Main Methods:

• Compiling soil and near-surface temperature data from a global network of sensors.
• Establishing the SoilTemp geospatial database to store and manage time series data.
• Utilizing data from 7,538 temperature sensors across 51 countries and diverse biomes.

Main Results:

• The SoilTemp database currently houses extensive microclimate data from numerous global locations.
• The database provides a valuable resource for researchers studying ground-level climate conditions.
• It bridges the gap between coarse climate data and the fine-scale microclimate relevant to organisms.

Conclusions:

• Microclimatic data are essential for realistic ecological forecasts under climate change.
• The SoilTemp database is a critical initiative for advancing global microclimate research.
• Improved understanding of microclimate will enhance predictions of organismal fate and ecosystem functioning.