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opencc-zeroDec 2019View details →

Forest microclimate dynamics drive plant responses to warming

Climate warming is causing a shift in biological communities in favor of warm-affinity species (i.e., thermophilisation). However, species responses often lag behind climate warming and local microclimates modulated by vegetation and topography are usually ignored. Here we analyze multidecadal understorey microclimate dynamics in European forests and show that thermophilisation and the climatic lag in forest plant communities are primarily controlled by microclimate. Increasing tree canopy cover reduces warming rates inside forests, but loss of canopy cover leads to increased microclimatic heat that exacerbates the disequilibrium between community responses and climate change. Reciprocal effects between plants and microclimates are key to understanding the response of forest biodiversity and functioning to climate and land-use changes.

opencc-zeroJul 2021View details →

Effect of external thermal insulation layer on the Chinese solar greenhouse microclimate

In order to optimize the heat preservation capacity of Chinese solar greenhouse (CSG) and further reduce energy consumption, we clarified the mechanism of the external thermal insulation layer that affecting the microclimate environment of CSG. The most excellent thickness of the external insulation layer of the solar greenhouse envelope structure in high latitude and cold region has been indicated. A three-dimensional mathematical model was developed based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and verified using experimental measurement. The temperature variations, heat variations and economic benefit were analyzed. The results indicated that covering the outer surface of the enclosures with a thermal insulation layer could effectively increase the greenhouse temperature by 1.2~4.0°C. SW had the lowest unit cost (USD 282.52/°C), but it limited the increase in greenhouse air temperature. Covering the outer surface of the north wall with insulation layer has better profitability and higher cost performance than that of the side wall and the north roof. During the construction of the greenhouse in high latitude and cold region, CC as the optimal solution could raise the greenhouse air temperature maximally. The optimal thickness of the external insulation layer of each maintenance structure is obtained as follows: north wall 80 mm, side wall 80 mm, north roof 100 mm.

Figure 3 in Periglacial microclimate in low-altitude scree slopes supports relict biodiversity

Figure 3. Temperature variations (◦C) in the Kamenec scree slope from the beginning of December 2003 to the end of November 2004. ET, external ambient air temperature; IT, internal air temperature on lower margin of the scree slope near trap No. 2.

Figure 2 in Periglacial microclimate in low-altitude scree slopes supports relict biodiversity

Figure 2. Relation of average annual temperature (A), and the annual number of black frost days (B) for three meteorological stations: Strakonice (423 m a.s.l.), Kašperské Hory (737 m a.s.l.) and Churáňov (1118 m a.s.l.). From 1976 to 2005. F = 487.49, P <10−16; and F = 1,29 1,29 65.6, P ≤ 10−8, respectively.

Figure 1 in Periglacial microclimate in low-altitude scree slopes supports relict biodiversity

Figure 1. Aerial photograph of Kamenec hill, autumnal aspect. The locations of pitfall traps are marked by full circles. Dashed line indicates the area with periglacial microclimate. Photo: L. Jenka.

Figure 5 in Periglacial microclimate in low-altitude scree slopes supports relict biodiversity

Figure 5. Ordination diagram of the Redundancy Analysis method on the dataset with all arthropods. The first (horizontal) axis defined by the proximity to ice formation places explains 22.7% of the total variation in species data, while the second (vertical) axis explains another 18.5% of the variation, unrelated to the tested factor. NI, near ice, plots <5 m from the places with underground ice formation; Outside, all remaining plots. Ten species best fitted by the proximity of ice-formation places are shown: Acari: RhagGeli, Rhagidia gelida Thorell, 1872; Araneae: AcanNorv, Acantholycosa norvegica (Thorell, 1872); AnguTrip, Anguliphantes tripartitus (Miller and Svatoň, 1978); DiplBide, Diplocentria bidentata (Emerton, 1882); TenuAlac, Tenuiphantes alacris (Blackwall, 1853); WalcAtro, Walckenaeria atrotibialis (O. P.-Cambridge, 1878); Coleoptera: CoryAngu, Coryphium angusticolle Stephens, 1834; OmalCaes, Omalium caesum Gravenhost, 1806; PhylUndu, Phyllotreta undulata Kutschera, 1860; Diplopoda: GlomHexa, Glomeris hexasticha Brandt, 1833.

Figure 4 in Periglacial microclimate in low-altitude scree slopes supports relict biodiversity

Figure 4. Ordination diagram of Canonical Correspondence Analysis, displaying first two axes constrained by the sample location category (3.4% of total variation explained, P = 0.002). NI, near ice, plots <5 m from the places with underground ice formation; MP, middle part; SP, side part; and UM, upper margin. Sixteen bryophyte species best explained by the location are shown: AnasSaxi, Anastrophyllum saxicola (Schrad.) R. M. Schust.; AndrRupe, Andreaea rupestris Hedw.; CephDiva, Cephaloziella divaricata (Sm.) Schiffn.; CephRube, Cephaloziella rubella (Nees) Warnst.; DicrScop, Dicranum scoparium Hedw.; DiplTaxi, Diplophyllum taxifolium (Wahlenb.) Dumort.; LophSude, Lophozia sudetica (Nees ex Hueneber) Grolle; LophVent, Lophozia ventricosa (Dicks.) Dumort.; PohlCrud, Pohlia cruda (Hedw.) Lindb.; PolyAlpi, Polytrichum alpinum Hedw.; PolyForm, Polytrichum formosum Hedw.; PtilCili, Ptilidium ciliare (L.) Hampe; RacoFasc, Racomitrium fasciculare (Hedw.) Brid.; RacoLanu, Racomitrium lanuginosum (Hedw.) Brid.; ScapNemo, Scapania nemorea (L.) Grolle; TetrPell, Tetraphis pellucida Hedw.

opencc-zeroAug 2021View details →

Microclimate temperatures impact nesting preference in Megachile rotundata

The temperature of the nest influences fitness in cavity-nesting bees. Females may choose 14 nest cavities that mitigate their offspring's exposure to stressful temperatures. This study aims to 15 understand how cavity temperature impacts the nesting preference of the solitary bee Megachile 16 rotundata under field conditions. We designed and 3D printed nest boxes that measured the 17 temperatures of 432 cavities. Nest boxes were four-sided with cavity entrances facing northeast, 18 northwest, southeast, and southwest. Nest boxes were placed along an alfalfa field in Fargo, ND 19 and were observed daily for completed nests. Our study found that cavity temperature varied by 20 direction the cavity faced and by the position of the cavity within the nest box. The southwest 21 sides recorded the highest maximum temperatures while the northeast sides recorded the lowest 22 maximum temperatures. Nesting females filled cavities on the north-facing sides faster than 23 cavities on the south-facing sides. The bees preferred to nest in cavities with lower average 24 temperatures during foraging hours, and cavities that faced to the north. The direction the cavity 25 faced was associated with the number of offspring per nest. The southwest-facing cavities had 26 fewer offspring than nests on the northeast side. Our study indicates that the nesting box acts as a 27 microclimate, with temperature varying by position and direction of the cavity. Variation in 28 cavity temperature affected where females chose to nest, but not their reproductive investment.

opencc-zeroSep 2021View details →

Data from: Microclimate limits thermal behaviour favourable to disease control in a nocturnal amphibian

While epizootics increasingly affect wildlife, it remains poorly understood how the environment shapes most host-pathogen systems. Here, we employ a three-step framework to study microclimate influence on ectotherm host thermal behaviour, focusing on amphibian chytridiomycosis in fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) infected with the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). Laboratory trials reveal that innate variation in thermal preference, rather than behavioural fever, can inhibit infection and facilitate salamander recovery under humidity-saturated conditions. Yet, a three-year field study and a mesocosm experiment close to the invasive Bsal range show that microclimate constraints suppress host thermal behaviour favourable to disease control. A final mechanistic model, that estimates range-wide, year-round host body temperature relative to local microclimate, suggests that these constraints are rule rather than exception. Our results demonstrate how amphibian innate host defences against epizootics may remain constrained in the wild, which predisposes to range-wide disease outbreaks and population declines.

opencc-zeroDec 2022View details →

Data from: Microclimate-based species distribution models in complex terrain indicate widespread cryptic refugia under climate change

Aim: Species' climatic niches may be poorly predicted by regional climate estimates used in species distribution models (SDMs) due to microclimatic buffering of local conditions. Here, we compare SDMs generated using a locally validated below-canopy microclimate model to those based on interpolated weather station data at two spatial scales to determine the effects of scale, topography, and forest cover on potential future ground-level warming and species distributions. Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (2090 km2; NC, TN, USA) Time period: 1970 – 2006 Major taxa: Vascular plant species of the Southern Appalachians Methods: We compared the fit and predictions of SDMs generated using a database of plant occurrences and three climate models: macroclimate (1 km, WorldClim), fine-scale (30 m) interpolation of macroclimate with elevation, and fine-scale below-canopy microclimate from a ground-level sensor network. Results: We found that, although SDM fit was similar across models, microclimate-derived SDMs predicted substantially greater species persistence with 4 °C of regional warming, with a difference of 50% of the species pool in some areas. Microclimate SDMs predicted higher stability of mid-elevation species, particularly in thermally buffered areas near streams, and critically, less change in species composition at high elevation. In contrast, predictions of macroclimate and interpolation models were similar despite improved resolution. Main conclusions: Our results demonstrate that careful selection of climate drivers, including local near-ground validation rather than interpolation, is critical for projecting distributions. They also suggest that some species at risk from climate change might persist, even with 4 °C of macroclimate warming, in cryptic refugia buffered by microclimate, pointing to the roles of forest cover and topography in explaining slower-than-expected changes in understory communities. However, certain species, such as those currently occurring on low-elevation ridges that are sensitive to atmospheric changes, may be at more risk than macroclimate or interpolated SDMs suggest.

openother-openJul 2023View details →

Microclimate dataset

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