Theme 4 presents results of the final step in the GAEZ crop suitability and productivity assessment, combining agro-climatic potential yields with soil/terrain evaluation results, i.e., yield reduction factors due to the constraints induced by soil limitations and prevailing terrain-slope conditions. Grid cells of the resource inventory can be made up of multiple soil types and terrain slope classes. GAEZ determines for each grid cell the respective characteristics of land units in terms of soil types and slope classes. Each of these component land units is separately assessed and assigned a suitability rating and simulated potential yield. The values are accumulated over all component land units in a grid cell, which produces a distribution of results falling into different suitability classes: very suitable (VS), suitable (S), moderately suitable (MS), marginally suitable (mS), very marginally suitable (vmS) and not suitable (NS). This theme provides information for 53 crops and includes sub-themes on: (1) Suitability Class, (2) Suitability Index, (3) Agro-ecological Attainable Yield, and (4) Crop Water Indicators. 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.

The Thermal zones dataset, at about 9 km resolution, reflects actual monthly temperature conditions throughout the year and serve as input to crop suitability assessment. CRUTS32 as climate data source is used based on historical data for the time period 1981-2010. The Thermal zones dataset is part of the GAEZ v4 Theme 2 Agro-climatic Resources, Climate Classification sub-theme. For additional information on agro-climatic resources and indicators, please to Chapter 3 of the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.

Crop suitability index in classes, current cropland in grid cell for wheat, cotton and sugarcane under irrigated conditions and high input level, with and without CO2 fertilization, using different climate data source and based on different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) according to the time period as follows: - climate data source CRUTS32 based on historical data for the time period 1981-2010; - climate data source ENSEMBLE based on the Representative Concentration Pathway RCP8.5 for time period 2041-2070. The Crop suitability index in classes dataset is part of the GAEZ v4 Suitability and Attainable Yield - Suitability Class. For additional information, please refer to the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.

Crop suitability index in classes, all land in grid cell for wheat, cotton and sugarcane under rain-fed conditions and high input level, with and without CO2 fertilization, using different climate data source and based on different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) according to the time period as follows: - climate data source CRUTS32 based on historical data for the time period 1981-2010; - climate data source ENSEMBLE based on the Representative Concentration Pathway RCP8.5 for time period 2041-2070. The Crop suitability index in classes dataset is part of the GAEZ v4 Theme 4 Suitability and Attainable Yield, Suitability Class sub-theme. For additional information, please refer to the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.

Production for the year 2010 for wheat, cotton and sugarcane under rain-fed, irrigated and total water supply conditions. The Crop Production dataset, at about 5 km resolution, is part of the GAEZ v4 Actual Yields and Production - Area, Yield and Production sub-theme. For additional information, please refer to the GAEZ v4 Model Documentation.

Agricultural production and land statistics are available at national scale from FAOSTAT database, but these statistical data cannot capture the spatial heterogeneity of agricultural production systems at fine resolutions within country boundaries. In this case a “downscaling” method is needed for plausible attribution of aggregate national production statistics to individual spatial units (grid cells) by applying formal methods that account for land characteristics, assess possible production options and can use available evidence from observed or inferred geo-spatial information, including remotely sensed land cover, soil, climate and vegetation distribution, population density and distribution, etc. Theme 5 spatial layers include mapped distributions of harvested area, yield and production at 5 arc-minute resolution for 26 major crops/crop groups, separately in rain-fed and irrigated cropland. Country totals are based on FAO statistics for the years 2009-2011. Also included are estimates of the spatial distribution of total crop production value and the production values of major crop groups (cereals, root crops, oil crops), all valued at year 2000 international prices, separately for rain-fed and irrigated cropland. This theme is organized into two main sub-themes: (1) Area, Yield and Production, and (2) Aggregate Crop Production Value. 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.

Crop cultivation potential describes the agronomically possible upper limit to produce individual crops under given agro-climatic, soil and terrain conditions and applying specific management assumptions and agronomic input levels. Soil moisture conditions together with other climate characteristics (radiation and temperature) during different crop development stages are used in an eco-physiological crop growth model to calculate potential biomass production and yield. The constraint-free crop yields calculated in the AEZ biomass model reflect yield potentials with regard to temperature and radiation regimes prevailing in each grid-cell. Maximum biomass and yields depend on the timing of the crop growth cycle (crop calendar) and are separately calculated for irrigated and rain-fed conditions. Crop specific requirements are matched with temperature regimes prevailing in individual grid-cells. Matching is tested for the full range of possible starting dates. For rain-fed conditions the crop calendar resulting in the highest expected (water-limited) yield is selected to represent maximum biomass and agro-climatic potential yield of the respective crop in a particular grid-cell. The estimation of yield losses due to water stress is based on crop-specific water balances. Yield estimation for irrigation conditions assumes that irrigation is scheduled such that no yield-reducing crop water deficits occur during the crop growth cycle. Differences in crop types and production systems are empirically characterized by the concept of Land Utilization Types (LUTs). A LUT comprises technical specifications for crop production within a given socioeconomic setting. Specific LUT attributes include agronomic information, type of the main produce, water supply type, information on typical cultivation practices, and utilization of main produce. GAEZ v4 distinguishes more than 300 crops/LUTs per level of inputs/management, which are separately assessed for rain-fed and irrigated conditions. These LUTs are grouped into 67 crop sub-types and 53 different food, feed, fiber, and bio-energy crops. Theme 3 provides crop-wise information about: (1) Agro-Climatic Yield, (2) Constraint Factors, (3) Growth Cycle Attributes, and (4) Land Utilization Types (LUT) Selection. 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.

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.