A Gridded Microclimate Dataset from a Sub-Arctic Biodiversity Hotspot in Finland

Niittynen, P.; Salminen, H.; Pena-Aguilera, P.; Aalto, J.; Alahuhta, J.; Luoto, M.; Maliniemi, T.; Rissanen, T.; Roslin, T.; Tukiainen, H.; Tyystjarvi, V.; Kemppinen, J.

doi:10.1101/2024.03.30.587419

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.03.30.587419

A Gridded Microclimate Dataset from a Sub-Arctic Biodiversity Hotspot in Finland

Niittynen, P.·Salminen, H.·Pena-Aguilera, P.·Aalto, J.·Alahuhta, J.·Luoto, M.·Maliniemi, T.·Rissanen, T.·Roslin, T.·Tukiainen, H.·Tyystjarvi, V.·Kemppinen, J.

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Abstract

Microclimate measurements are crucial for explaining and predicting functions and patterns in nature, yet the availability of microclimate data often poses a challenge. This study introduces a dataset comprising 63 spatially continuous microclimate surfaces for the Kilpisjarvi region in northwestern Finland. The study region is a biodiversity hotspot for arctic-alpine flora and fauna and one of the most extensively investigated regions in Northern Europe. The data were gathered through a collaborative network of microclimate loggers, encompassing 430 measurement locations that comprehensively cover the 300 km2 landscape under study. We employed predominantly well-performing Random Forest models to project microclimate variables across the study area at a 3-metre spatial resolution. The high-resolution and extensive spatial coverage of the dataset facilitates examination of microclimate characteristics and variability across this sub-Arctic region, providing a valuable resource for both theoretical and applied research, as well as for biodiversity conservation.

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Niittynen, P., Salminen, H., Pena-Aguilera, P., Aalto, J., Alahuhta, J., Luoto, M., Maliniemi, T., Rissanen, T., Roslin, T., Tukiainen, H., Tyystjarvi, V., Kemppinen, J.. 2024-03-30. A Gridded Microclimate Dataset from a Sub-Arctic Biodiversity Hotspot in Finland. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.03.30.587419

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