Content
Topic Introduction
In this topic, we will introduce scale-free climate models ClimateNA (for North America) and ClimateAP (for the Asia Pacific). The scale-free feature of these models allows users to generate climate data for specific locations, instead of grid averages from other climate data sources, thus has clear advantages in terms of prediction accuracy and ecological applications at regional and local scales. We will introduce the data sources, downscaling mechanism and the development of a large number of biologically relevant climate variables, summarize the features of the climate models.
By the end of the lecture, you should be able to
- Distinguish the data sources for baseline, paleo, historical and future periods;
- Describe the mechanism of the dynamic local downscaling to generate scale-free climate data;
- Recognize the advantages of scale-free climate data over commonly used gridded climate data;
- List the options for obtaining scale-free climate data for different applications.
Topic Readings
Required Readings
Optional Readings
Self Check (For certificate learning only)
After reading for this topic, take 5 minutes to take an online self-check quiz for the topic. The main purpose of the quiz is for you to self-check how well you grasp the contents for this topic. It will cover contents of the lecture(s) for the topic. Five attempts are allowed and highest mark will be saved to show your achievement.
When you are ready, click the link Self-check Quiz 3.1 to start taking the quiz.
Activities & Assignments (For certificate learning only)
Online Discussions
Online discussions are much like face-to-face discussions. Students are required preparation and active participation in order to the learning objectives. The online discussion will be asynchronous (i.e., students can participate at different times) and will be closed at the end of the week. This discussion accounts for 2 marks graded based on participation and quality of the posts. Each student is required to have at least one post. Everyone is encouraged to rate each post. The first post account for 70%, the second one for 20% and third one for 10% of the participation, respectively. The first post with at least five sentences is considered as the “first post”. A simply “Yes or No” post is not considered as a post. The quality is graded by both Instructor (50%) and peer rating (50%).
Discussion Topics:
- How does the dynamic local downscaling method work to generate scale-free climate data.
- What are the features of the ClimateNA and ClimateAP that you like most? Why?
To participate in the discussion, please go to Online Discussion 3.1 class forum.
Graded Assignments
None for this week.
Topic Summary
ClimateNA and ClimateAP can generate scale-free climate data for paleo, historical and future years and periods. The scale-free climate data have clear advantages in terms of prediction accuracies and ecological applications over gridded climate data from other climate data sources. Time-series functions, multiple GCMs handling, and map processing features are user-friendly and effective. Their web versions allow easy access to climate data and spatial visualization of climate and ecological maps.
Topic Self-review (For self learning)
Please use the reflection questions below as study guide to conduct self-review for the topic:
- Why are scale-free climate data better than gridded climate data?
- Where to get scale-free climate models for my areas?
- How does the dynamic local downscaling improve gridded climate data?
- Are the derived climate variables useful and why?
- Scale-free climate data improve model accuracy, but can we used gridded climate for spatial predictions?
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