From rain to data: A review of the creation of monthly and daily station-based gridded precipitation datasets

Monthly and daily gridded precipitation datasets are one of the most demanded products in climatology and hydrology. These datasets describe the high spatial and temporal variability of precipitation as a continuous surface and for defined periods. However, due to the complex characteristics of precipitation, it is difficult to obtain accurate estimations. Thus, the creation of a gridded dataset from observations requires the comprehensive and precise application of quality control, reconstruction, and gridding procedures. Yet, despite multiple advances, most of the gridded datasets created and published since the mid-1990s to the present use a wide variety of techniques, methods, and outputs, which can completely change the final representativity of the data. It is, therefore, critical to provide general guidelines for the development of future and more robust gridded datasets based on the data characteristics, geographical factors, and advanced statistical techniques. We identified gaps and challenges for near-future perspectives and provide guidelines for implementing improved approaches based on the performance of 48 products. Finally, we concluded that, despite better spatial and temporal resolutions, data access, and data processing capabilities, observational coverage remains a challenge. Moreover, scientists should adopt tailored strategies to improve the representativity and uncertainty of the estimates. This article is categorized under: Science of Water > Hydrological Processes Science of Water > Water Extremes Science of Water > MethodsThis work was supported by the Government of Aragón through the “Program of research groups” (group H09_20R, “Climate, Water, Global Change, and Natural Systems”). Ernesto Tejedor is partially funded by the NSF-PIRE (OISE- 1743738

bioclim: An R package for bioclimatic classifications via adaptive water balance

bioclim is a software package in R language for bioclimatic classification based on the Type of Bioclimatic Regime approach, which combines climatic and soil properties to classify a region according to its suitability for plant vegetative activity. We present the software’s operating modes, capabilities and limitations, including real-world usage examples. Using monthly temperature, precipitation, and field capacity as inputs, bioclim follows a straightforward workflow using three functions to compute: i) a comprehensive water balance describing water resource dynamics throughout the year; ii) a bioclimatic balance to estimate plant vegetative activity; and iii) a collection of bioclimatic intensities quantifying vegetative activity changes. The program uses the results of these functions to classify bioclimatic type at zonal, regional and local scales. The three functions’ outputs can be calculated independently, strengthening the software’s cross-disciplinary application potential, such as climatology and hydrology. bioclim uses numeric and raster formats as input data and contains highly flexible options for a wide range of purposes, from scientific research to end users’ representations. The water and bioclimatic balance results can be presented in numerical, graphical, or cartographic formsThe present research was conducted within the framework of project SI3-PJI-2021-00398 funded by the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid and the Comunidad de Madri

An R package for daily precipitation climate series reconstruction

Daily precipitation datasets are usually large, bulky and hard to handle, but they are of key importance in many environmental studies. We developed a tool to create custom datasets from observed daily precipitation records. Reference values (RV) are computed for each day and location using multivariate logistic regression with altitude, latitude and longitude as covariates. The operations were compiled in an Open Source R package called reddPrec. The reddPrec package consists of a set of functions used to: i) apply a comprehensive quality control over original daily precipitation datasets, flagging suspect data based on five predefined criteria; ii) fill missing values in original data series by estimating precipitation values using the 10 nearest observations for each day; and iii) create new series and gridded datasets in locations where no data were recorded

PROYECTO TRANSNACIONAL DE PROMOCIÓN Y PUESTA EN VALOR DE LA RESERVA DE LA BIOSFERA TRANSFRONTERIZA MESETA IBÉRICA

El trabajo asignado y llevado a cabo durante los dos meses de prácticas en IRMA S.L. se ha basado en la realización de un proyecto transnacional pionero en la zona entre España y Portugal relativo a la definición de todos los aspectos geográficos que han sido considerados de interés en materia de promoción y puesta en valor relacionados con la Reserva de la Biosfera Transfronteriza Meseta Ibérica. Realidades geográficas como la red viaria o la localización de las zonas protegidas bajo la Red Natura 2000 son solo algunos de los ejemplos que se han recopilado y que se han introducido en una serie de mapas mediante la utilización de herramientas SIG y la descarga de datos disponibles de las instituciones públicas tanto de España como de Portugal, creando un atlas que, junto con los textos e inventarios adjuntos, buscan la manera de conseguir una mayor visibilidad de este territorio para fomentar su desarrollo económico, social, demográfico y turístico

Distribución espacial y tendencias de indicadores agroclimáticos en la España peninsular

A new dataset of 12 agroclimatic indicators calculated over a 5x5 km grid in 1981-2010 period is presented for peninsular Spain. The calculation of the indicators was based on the information of maximum and minimum temperatures obtained from the STEAD dataset. Normal values were mapped for all the indicators and the spatial distribution of the temporal changes was described through a trend analysis. Results showed a wide dependence from the geographical factors (elevation, latitude and distance to the coast) in the spatial distribution of the normal values. However, this influence was minimized in the trends to the Mediterranean coast and mountainous areas. A remarkable advance in frost dates was noticed alongside a decrease in the number of the events, with a high spatial variability. Those indicators of thermal sums showed a significant increase as a consequence of the raising temperatures in spring and summer.Se presenta una nueva base de datos de 12 indicadores agroclimáticos para la España peninsular sobre una malla de 5x5 km para el periodo 1981-2010. El cálculo de los indicadores se basó en la información de temperaturas máxima y mínima diarias extraídas de la base de datos STEAD. Se cartografían y describen los valores normales de todos los indicadores y se analizan los cambios durante todo el periodo mediante un análisis de tendencias. Los resultados muestran una elevada dependencia de los factores geográficos locales (elevación, latitud y distancia a la costa) en la distribución espacial de los valores normales. Sin embargo, esta influencia queda relegada en las tendencias a la costa mediterránea y las zonas montañosas. Se advierte un notable adelanto en la fecha de las heladas acompañado de un descenso en el número de eventos de helada, con elevada variabilidad espacial en las tendencias. Los indicadores de integrales térmicas presentan un aumento significativo como consecuencia del incremento de las temperaturas, especialmente en primavera y verano

Dominance of Fagus sylvatica in the Growing Stock and Its Relationship to Climate—An Analysis Using Modeled Stand-Level Climate Data

In the future, climate change is expected to affect the spatial distribution of most tree species in Europe. The European beech (Fagus sylvatica), a drought-sensitive tree species, is currently distributed throughout Europe, where it is an ecologically and economically important species. In Slovenia, the European beech represents 33% of the growing stock, but such a proportion greatly varies across Europe. Whether such a variation is related to the climate environmental gradients or because of historical or management decisions is an as-yet unexplored question. For this study, we employed the Slovenian Forests Service inventory, where the proportion of beech in the forest stock has been monitored in 341,341 forest stands across the country. Modeled climate data from the SLOCLIM database, calculated for each of the stands, was also used to test the hypothesis that although beech forests have always been influenced by human activity, the dominance of beech trees in forest stands is at least partially dictated by the climate. The results showed the distribution of the main climate variables (annual precipitation, the share of summer and spring precipitation, and annual maximum and minimum temperatures) and how they affect the current dominance of beech trees at the stand level. Due to the large number and variability of forest stands studied, the results should be transferable to better understand and manage the climatic suitability and risks of Fagus sylvatica. The modeled data is publicly available in the web repository Zenodo

Valoración de áreas faunísticas en el Aiguabarreig del Segre, Cinca y Ebro

A study that values the present faunistic communities in Aiguabarreig (Confluence of Segre, Cinca, and Ebro rivers) is presented from a geographic point of view, considering its spatial distribution, and the relations which are established between the different natural environments that form this wet territory. Through the creation of faunistic areas supported in the handling of SIG and the interpretation of field data, a division of the zone of study based on the potential habitats has been obtained to come to its valuation from an ecological nature criteria.Se presenta un estudio que valora las comunidades faunísticaspresentes en el Aiguabarreig del Segre, Cinca y Ebro desde un punto devista geográfico, considerando su distribución espacial y las relacionesque se establecen entre los distintos ambientes naturales que configuraneste territorio húmedo. A través de la creación de áreas faunísticas apoyadasen el manejo de SIG y la interpretación de los datos recogidos encampo, se ha obtenido una división de la zona de estudio en función delos hábitats potenciales para proceder a su valoración en base a criteriosde naturaleza ecológica

Comunidad aviar y cambios de uso del suelo en el piedemonte del Sistema Ibérico (comarca de Borja, Zaragoza-España)

Se estudia la comunidad aviar presente en el sector de piedemonte del Sistema Ibérico zaragozano que forma parte de la Comarca del Campo de Borja (Zaragoza, España), durante la época invernal y reproductora. Se analizan los parámetros de Diversidad, Riqueza específica y Constancia para el conjunto del área de estudio, así como para el humedal artificial conocido como “La Estanca de Borja”. Además se procede al análisis de los cambios observados en la composición de esta comunidad aviar entre 1970 y 2009, comparándolos con los cambios que se han producido durante dicho periodo en cuanto al uso del territorio y los hábitats establecidos para el estudio de la dinámica temporal de los mismos

Un índice de mesoescala para la caracterización climática del Valle del Ebro

Ponencia presentada en: XXXII Jornadas Científicas de la AME y el XIII Encuentro Hispano Luso de Meteorología celebrado en Alcobendas (Madrid), del 28 al 30 de mayo de 2012

Modelización de combustible y simulación de incendios en el barranco de Tagarina (Sella, Alicante).

Los incendios forestales y el incremento de estos es uno de los problemas más frecuentes de la cuenca mediterránea, que se ha visto incrementado en las últimas décadas debido al éxodo rural y el abandono de tierras. En este trabajo se realiza un análisis del estrato de la vegetación del bosque mediterráneo, no desde una manera óptica, sino analizando la estructura interna del dosel vegetal, para realizar un análisis exhaustivo y poder generar información sobre los modelos de combustible dictados por Rothermel (1972) en el barranco de la Tagarina (Sella, Alicante). La información necesaria para la elaboración de la capa sobre modelos de combustible se ha obtenido del proyecto LiDAR – PNOA y se ha procesado a través del software FUSION, especializado en zonas forestales. Una vez se ha obtenido la información necesaria para trabajar con el modelo de combustible, se ha hecho uso del programa de simulaciones de incendio Flammap para conocer las variables principales que se darían en caso de repetirse el incendio ocurrido en 1995 y poder así tomar medidas para la prevención de incendios forestales.<br /