Temperature regimes, solar radiation and available soil moisture determine photosynthesis, which allows plants to accumulate dry matter throughout the plant development stages. Compilation of an AEZ agro-climatic inventory using several climatic variables (e.g. temperature, precipitation, sunshine fraction, relative humidity) gives a general characterization of climatic resources, signifies their suitability for agricultural use and provides data and indicators related to climatic requirements of crop growth, development and yield formation. The inventory includes a variety of agronomically relevant characteristics of prevailing thermal and moisture regimes, and growing periods.

GAEZv4 climate data include historical (time-series and 30-year averages covering 1961-2010) and future periods (30-year average of years 2011-2040, 2041-2070, and 2070-2099) using recent IPCC AR5 Earth System Model (ESM) outputs for four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs).

This theme 2 provides information about (1) Climate Classification, (2) Thermal Regime, (3) Moisture Regime and (4) Growing Period.

Results of this theme are presented in a regular raster format of 5 arc-minute (about 9 x 9 km at the equator) grid cells. Climatic conditions are based on a time series of historical data of 1961-2010 and a selection of future climate simulations using recent IPCC AR5 Earth System Model (ESM) outputs for four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs).

GAEZ methodology development, data base compilation, production of results and establishing the Data Portal were accomplished in close technical collaboration and with inputs of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA).

For further details, please refer to the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.