Microclimate complexity in temperate grasslands: implications for conservation and management under climate change

Abstract

As climate change advances, there is a need to examine climate conditions at scales that are ecologically relevant to species. While microclimates in forested systems have been extensively studied, microclimates in grasslands have received little attention despite the climate vulnerability of this endangered biome. We employed a novel combination of iButton temperature and humidity measurements, fine-scale spatial observations of vegetation and topography collected by UAS, and gridded mesoclimate products to model microclimate anomalies in temperate grasslands. We found that grasslands harbored diverse microclimates, and that primary productivity (as represented by NDVI), canopy height, and topography were strong spatial drivers of these anomalies. Microclimate heterogeneity is likely of ecological importance to grassland organisms seeking out climate change refugia, and thus there is a need to consider microclimate complexity in the management and conservation of grassland biodiversity.

Agriculture and hot temperatures interactively erode the nest success of habitat generalist birds across the United States

“…An important caveat is that the species studied here are habitat generalists. Enhancing forest cover in naturally open land covers could harm grassland-obligate birds, which might be able to leverage habitat heterogeneity in natural grasslands to find thermally buffered areas ( 33 ). Nonetheless, for other species, erecting sun-shielded or insulated nest boxes in shaded locations ( 34 ), conserving forest patches, and/or planting scattered trees in human-dominated landscapes may help species cope with climate change–driven temperature extremes by providing thermal buffering ( 35 ), especially for the species of conservation concern studied here.…”

Analysis of Mangrove Leaf Litter Decomposition Rate in Mangrove Ecosystem of Muara Pagatan, South Kalimantan

“…The results of the tree-level mangrove ecosystem index values are presented in Table 3. Vegetation structure determines abiotic conditions, especially microclimate conditions underneath the mangrove (Bernath-Plaisted et al, 2023;Mahata et al, 2023). Mangrove ecosystems in Muara Pagatan found four types of mangroves namely Rhizophora mucronate, Avicennia marina, Sonneratia alba and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza with an important value index (NP) ranging from 59.66-300%, of the four mangrove species found, R. mucronata has the largest importance index of 300%, and the lowest value index is found in the type of A. marina which is 59.66%.…”

Continent‐wide parallel urban evolution of increased heat tolerance in a common moth

“…Grassland habitats are characterized by greater temperature variability and substantially greater maxima than regional conditions (Bernath‐Plaisted et al., 2023 ); during hot and sunny conditions they can be exposed to temperature extremes over 45°C in temperate regions (Bernath‐Plaisted et al., 2023 ; Gardiner & Hassall, 2009 ; Suggitt et al., 2018 ) and well above 50°C in continental regions (Carroll et al., 2016 ). Under global change, the frequency and intensity of high temperatures have increased and continue to increase, particularly in thermally stressful environments like grasslands and cities.…”