Amazon Basin Historical Climatology From LBA Experiment
Updated 1mo ago
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Available on 2 platforms
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Description
NASA's LBA Regional Mean Climatology dataset is a 0.5-degree resolution subset of the Cramer and Leemans (2001, Version 2.1) global database, covering the Amazon region from 10° N to 25° S and 30° to 85° W. It provides long-term monthly averages for the period 1931-1960, including mean temperature, temperature range, precipitation, rain days, and sunshine hours. This data was generated using a partial thin-plate splining algorithm and was a key input for the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme's Net Primary Productivity model intercomparison.
Use Cases
Calibrating or validating historical climate and Net Primary Productivity (NPP) models for the Amazon basin using the provided monthly averages.
Analyzing spatial patterns of mean temperature, precipitation, and sunshine hours across the South American continent at 0.5-degree resolution.
Studying the climatological context for the Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA) research on land use change impacts.
Strengths
Data is derived from a widely cited and updated global climatology (Cramer and Leemans 2001, Version 2.1) used in major international model intercomparisons.
Provides a consistent 30-year historical baseline (1931-1960) for key climate variables like temperature, precipitation, and sunshine hours.
Spatial coverage is specific to the scientifically critical Amazon region, supporting focused biosphere-atmosphere studies.
Limitations
Key metadata such as row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided on any platform.
There is a conflict in the 'last updated' metadata: Data.gov lists 2026-03-13, while NASA Earthdata lists 1960-12 31, suggesting platform update dates differ from data vintage.
The license is specified only as 'other-license-specified' on Data.gov, with no details provided on NASA Earthdata.
Provenance
Source
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as part of the Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA).
Collection Method
Generated from a larger global database using the partial thin-plate splining algorithm developed by Michael F. Hutchinson.
Time Range
1931-1960
Freshness
2026-03-13 01:18:32.630498
Geography
South America, specifically latitude 10° N to 25° S, longitude 30° to 85° W (Amazon basin).
License details are not explicitly stated; users must consult the provided readme file. Data is a regional subset of a global database and is presented in ASCII GRID format among other file types.