A method of downscaling temperature maps based on analytical hillshading for use in species distribution modelling

ABSTRACT

Climate maps have been widely used for the construction of species distribution models. These maps derive from interpolation of data collected by meteorological stations. The sparse distribution of stations generates maps with coarse spatial resolution that are unable to detect microclimates or areas that can serve as plant or animal refuges. This work proposes a method for downscaling temperature maps using the solar radiation falling upon hillsides as predictor for the influence of relief on local variability. Solar irradiance is estimated from a digital elevation model of the study area using a routine based on analytical hillshading. Some examples of downscaling from 1 km to 25 m spatial resolution are shown. The results are compared with the surface temperature maps from Landsat 8 satellite imagery.

KEYWORDS:

• Downscaling
• analytical hillshading
• temperature maps
• climate cartography
• DEM

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Our thanks go to the Junta de Extremadura and FEDER Program that provided support for the publication of this work (code GR15129).