Downscaled and bias-corrected bioclimatic dataset for the Mediterranean Sea (2005-2099)

Area of Science:

• Oceanography
• Marine Ecology
• Climate Modeling

Background:

• The Mediterranean Sea faces significant environmental pressures from climate change and anthropogenic activities.
• Accurate projections of future ocean conditions are crucial for marine ecosystem management and conservation efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive dataset of projected annual statistical descriptors for key physical and biogeochemical variables in the Mediterranean Sea.
• To support ecological and environmental modeling applications by offering downscaled and bias-corrected climate projection data.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) with a Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) high emissions scenario.
• Employed the OGSTM-BFM and MFS16 ocean models for initial projections, followed by downscaling to a 1/24 degree resolution.
• Applied quantile delta mapping bias correction using CMEMS reanalysis data (2005-2020).

Main Results:

• Generated annual statistical descriptors (mean, min, max, range, std dev) for variables including temperature, salinity, pH, nutrients, dissolved inorganic carbon, oxygen, and net primary production.
• Data covers the Mediterranean Sea from 2005 to 2099 at a ~4 km² spatial resolution.
• Projections are available for both surface and bathymetry levels.

Conclusions:

• The dataset provides a valuable resource for understanding potential future changes in the Mediterranean Sea's physical and biogeochemical environment.
• Accessible data format facilitates diverse applications in marine science, climate impact assessment, and policy development.