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

Abstract

ABSTRACTMicroclimate 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 Kilpisjärvi 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.