Gazatteer: 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.

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

Contact 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)