Microclimc: A mechanistic model of above, below and within-canopy microclimate

Climate strongly influences ecological patterns and processes at scales ranging from local to global. Studies of responses climate usually rely on data derived weather stations, where temperature humidity may differ substantially that in the microenvironments which organisms reside. To help remedy this, we present a model leverages first principles physics predict microclimate above, within, below canopy any terrestrial location earth, made freely available as an R software package. The can be run one two modes. In first, heat vapour exchange within are modelled transient processes, thus accounting for fine temporal-resolution changes. second, steady-state conditions assumed, enabling hourly intervals or longer estimated with greater computational efficiency. We validated both modes empirical below-canopy thermal measurements several locations globally, resulting predictions mean absolute error 2.77 °C 2.79 respectively. Alongside model, functions provided assist assimilation, well different parameterizations capture variety habitats, allowing flexible application even when little is known about study location. model's modular design programming language familiar researchers provides easy access modelling site-specific forcing, attempt more closely unify fields micrometeorology ecology.