QUICK REFERENCE

 

GLOBAL CLIMATE DATABASE, MAY 15, 1996

 

 

Gazetteer:�� ��������� Identification Information

Originator:� Global Change Department National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection

������������������������������� Date:� 1996

Title:� Global Climate Database

������������������������������� Purpose:� unknown

Abstract:� README for the updated global climate database, dd may 15, 1996

Reference to version 1.0 of this database:

Leemans, R., Cramer, W., 1991. The IIASA database for mean monthly values of temperature, precipitation and cloudiness on a global terrestrial grid. IIASA Research Report RR-91-18. International Institute of Applied Systems Analyses, Laxenburg. 61 pp. November 1991.

 

The documentation of the updated version is in preparation. The name of this updated version will be CLIMATE (Cramer & Leemans Interpolated Meteorology for Applications in Terrestrial Ecology).

 

The quality has been improved by using stringent station selection criteria for the climatic normal period 1931-1960. The database is now based on c. high-quality 16000-20000 stations world wide. The interpolation methodology has been improved by using a emperical correction scheme with locally derived lapse rates. This scheme works well for both temperature and precipiation.

 

The evapotranspiration scheme used is developed by Prentice et al. It reference is: Prentice, I.C., Sykes, M. Cramer, W., 1993.� A simulation model for the transient effects of climate change on forest landscapes. Ecological Modelling, 65: 51-70.

 

 

Global GIS NOTE: Cloud Coverage or Cloudiness is defined as the actual number of bright sunshine hours over the potential number, and is thus expressed as a percentage figure. The number in the database can be confusing. A low percentage means more sunshine and fewer clouds. To look at this from the assigned colors in the legend the darker-blue the values are the more sunshine and fewer clouds. Inserted by Trent Hare

 

The files all contain:

Longitute        (degrees (2 decimals), lower left corner of the 0.5 degree cells).

Latitude          (degrees (2 decimals), lower left corner of the 0.5 degree cells).

Altitude          (m asl)

12 monthly values (jan, feb.....nov, dec.)

 

tmp.shp� mean temperature (C, 1 decimal)

prc.shp mean precipitation (mm, 0 decimal)

clo.shp� mean sunshine or cloudines (%, 0 decimal)

pet.shp   potential evapotranspiration (mm, 0 decimal)

aet.shp   actual evapotranspiration (mm, 0 decimal)

 

������������������������������� Access Constraints:� none�

Use Constraints:� It is ultimately the user's responsibility to assess the accuracy and completeness of a data set extracted from the database and to determine if these are sufficient for the purposes to which the data set would be applied.

 

����������� Ordering Instructions:� available online, see online linkage below

 

����� ������������������������� Contact Person:� Rik Leemans

������������������������������� Contact Organization:� National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection

������� ����������������������� Address:� P.O.Box 12233
������� ����������������������� City:� Research Triangle Park

������ ������������������������ State or Province: NC

������� ����������������������� Postal Code: 27709

������ �������� ��������������� Country:� USA

 

Online Linkage: http://www.niehs.nih.gov

 

������������������������������� Entity and Attribute Information (table heading explanations)

������������������������������� Shape:� ArcView file type (tmp.shp, prc.shp, aet.shp, clo.shp, pet.shp)