The Historical Climate — Soil Temperature indicator shows the historical time series of soil temperature in the surface layer (0–7 cm depth), based on ERA5/ERA5-Land reanalysis data. Soil temperature is a key ecological parameter governing microbial activity, organic matter decomposition, and nutrient availability for plants. It directly influences seed germination, root development, and the survival of soil-dwelling organisms including invertebrates, mycorrhizal fungi, and ground-nesting insects such as many solitary bee species that depend on warm, stable soil conditions for successful nesting and larval development.
Data are sourced from the Open-Meteo Historical Weather API, which provides ERA5/ERA5-Land reanalysis data from 1940 to the present at approximately 10 km resolution. The variable used is soil_temperature_0_to_7cm (soil temperature in the 0–7 cm layer). Data are returned on a daily basis and interpolated to the geographic position of the site.
| Code | Name | Provider | Type | Coverage | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WRD_OPNMT_99 | Open-Meteo Historical Weather API | Open-Meteo | db | Global | 1940–present |
Historical time series of soil temperature based on ERA5-Land reanalysis. Open-Meteo variable: soil_temperature_0_to_7cm (default). Source: Open-Meteo Historical Weather API. Unit: °C.