Ten practical guidelines for microclimate research in terrestrial ecosystems

Pieter De Frenne*, Rémy Beugnon, David Klinges, Jonathan Lenoir, Pekka Niittynen, Sylvain Pincebourde, Rebecca A. Senior, Juha Aalto, Kryštof Chytrý, Phillipa K. Gillingham, Caroline Greiser, Eva Gril, Stef Haesen, Michael Kearney, Martin Kopecký, Peter C. le Roux, Miska Luoto, Ilya Maclean, Matěj Man, Rachel PenczykowskiLiesbeth van den Brink, Stijn Van de Vondel, Karen De Pauw, Jonas J. Lembrechts, Julia Kemppinen, Koenraad Van Meerbeek

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Most biodiversity dynamics and ecosystem processes on land take place in microclimates that are decoupled from the climate as measured by standardised weather stations in open, unshaded locations. As a result, microclimate monitoring is increasingly being integrated in many studies in ecology and evolution. Overviews of the protocols and measurement methods related to microclimate are needed, especially for those starting in the field and to achieve more generality and standardisation in microclimate studies. Here, we present 10 practical guidelines for ground-based research of terrestrial microclimates, covering methods and best practices from initial conceptualisation of the study to data analyses. Our guidelines encompass the significance of microclimates; the specifics of what, where, when and how to measure them; the design of microclimate studies; and the optimal approaches for analysing and sharing data for future use and collaborations. The paper is structured as a chronological guide, leading the reader through each step necessary to conduct a comprehensive microclimate study. At the end, we also discuss further research avenues and development in this field. With these 10 guidelines for microclimate monitoring, we hope to stimulate and advance microclimate research in ecology and evolution, especially under the pressing need to account for buffering or amplifying abilities of contrasting microhabitats in the context of global climate change.

Original languageEnglish
JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 16 Dec 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Methods in Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society.

Funding

Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek; SoilTemp Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) Scientific Research Network, Grant/Award Number: W004024; H2020 European Research Council, Grant/Award Number: 101124948 and 883669; Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism (SMWK), Grant/Award Number: 3-7304/35/6-2021/48880; National Science Foundation-GRFP NoDGE, Grant/Award Number: 1842473; Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR), Grant/Award Number: ANR-21-CE32-0012-03, ANR-19-CE32-0005-01, ANR-20-CE02-0011 and ANR-20-CE32-0003-02; Region Hauts-de-France; Ministere de l'Enseignement Superieur et de la Recherche and the European Fund for Regional Economic Development; Seedcorn Fund, Grant/Award Number: 880698; Swedish Research Council Formas, Grant/Award Number: 2021-01993; Internal Funds of KU Leuven; Czech Science Foundation, Grant/Award Number: GACR 23-06614S; Czech Academy of Sciences, Grant/Award Number: RVO 67985939; Research Council of Finland, Grant/Award Number: 342890, 1342890, 349606 and 353218; Natural Environment Research Council, Grant/Award Number: NE/V000772/1; National Science Foundation, Grant/Award Number: DEB-2240087;ANID, Grant/Award Number: PIA/ACT 210038; FWO, Grant/Award Number: 1S90923N and 12A0L25N; BiodivERsA BiodivMon-projectASICS; Belspo

FundersFunder number
Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
SoilTemp Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) Scientific Research NetworkW004024
H2020 European Research Council101124948, 883669
Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism (SMWK)
National Science Foundation-GRFP1842473
Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR)ANR-21-CE32-0012-03, ANR-19-CE32-0005-01, ANR-20-CE02-0011, ANR-20-CE32-0003-02
Region Hauts-de-France
Ministere de l'Enseignement Superieur et de la Recherche
European Fund for Regional Economic Development
Seedcorn Fund880698
Swedish Research Council Formas2021-01993
Internal Funds of KU Leuven
Czech Science FoundationGACR 23-06614S
Czech Academy of SciencesRVO 67985939
Research Council of Finland342890, 1342890, 349606, 353218
Natural Environment Research CouncilNE/V000772/1
National Science FoundationDEB-2240087
ANIDPIA/ACT 210038
FWO1S90923N, 12A0L25N
BiodivERsA BiodivMon-projectASICS
Belspo
Not added3-7304/35/6-2021/48880

    Keywords

    • air and soil temperature
    • climate change
    • field handbook
    • humidity
    • macroclimate
    • methods
    • microclimate
    • weather

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