Clima Storico — Umidità del Suolo (0–7 cm)

Microclimatev01.00 credits/fixed

Responsible:Niccolò Calandri

Historical Climate — Soil Moisture (0–7 cm)

Overview

The Historical Climate — Soil Moisture (0–7 cm) indicator shows the historical time series of volumetric water content in the topmost soil layer (0–7 cm), derived from ERA5-Land reanalysis data. This shallow layer is the most responsive to atmospheric exchanges: rainfall, evaporation, and solar radiation cause rapid and significant fluctuations in moisture content. It is the decisive layer for seed germination, surface microbial activity, and the regulation of heat and water vapor fluxes between the soil and the atmosphere.

Calculation Methodology

Data are sourced from the Open-Meteo Historical Weather API, which provides ERA5-Land reanalysis data from 1940 to the present at approximately 10 km resolution. The variable used is soil_moisture_0_to_7cm (volumetric water content in the 0–7 cm layer). Data are interpolated to the site location.

Data Sources

Code	Name	Provider	Type	Coverage	Availability
`WRD_OPNMT_99`	Open-Meteo Historical Weather API	Open-Meteo	db	Global	1940–present

References

Hersbach, H. et al. (2020). QJRMS, 146(730), 1999-2049.
Muñoz-Sabater, J. et al. (2021). ESSD, 13, 4349-4383.
Open-Meteo Historical Weather API

Data Sources & References

Sources

WRD_OPNMT_99

Methodology

Historical time series of volumetric soil moisture in the 0–7 cm layer based on ERA5-Land reanalysis. Open-Meteo Variable: soil_moisture_0_to_7cm. Source: Open-Meteo Historical Weather API. Unit: m³/m³.