Microclimate, an important part of ecology and biogeography
Authors: Kemppinen Julia , Lembrechts Jonas J. , Van Meerbeek Koenraad , Carnicer Jofre , Chardon Nathalie Isabelle , Kardol Paul , Lenoir Jonathan , Liu Daijun , Maclean Ilya , Pergl Jan , Saccone Patrick , Senior Rebecca A. , Shen Ting , Słowińska Sandra , Vandvik Vigdis , von Oppen Jonathan , Aalto Juha , Ayalew Biruk , Bates Olivia , Bertelsmeier Cleo , Bertrand Romain , Beugnon Rémy , Borderieux Jeremy , Brůna Josef , Buckley Lauren , Bujan Jelena , Casanova‐Katny Angelica , Christiansen Ditte Marie , Collart Flavien , De Lombaerde Emiel , De Pauw Karen , Depauw Leen , Di Musciano Michele , Díaz Borrego Raquel , Díaz‐Calafat Joan , Ellis‐Soto Diego , Esteban Raquel , de Jong Geerte Fälthammar , Gallois Elise , Garcia Maria Begoña , Gillerot Loïc , Greiser Caroline , Gril Eva , Haesen Stef , Hampe Arndt , Hedwall Per‐Ola , Hes Gabriel , Hespanhol Helena , Hoffrén Raúl , Hylander Kristoffer , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja , Jucker Tommaso , Klinges David , Kolstela Joonas , Kopecký Martin , Kovács Bence , Maeda Eduardo Eiji , Máliš František , Man Matěj , Mathiak Corrie , Meineri Eric , Naujokaitis‐Lewis Ilona , Nijs Ivan , Normand Signe , Nuñez Martin , Orczewska Anna , Peña‐Aguilera Pablo , Pincebourde Sylvain , Plichta Roman , Quick Susan , Renault David , Ricci Lorenzo , Rissanen Tuuli , Segura‐Hernández Laura , Selvi Federico , Serra‐Diaz Josep M. , Soifer Lydia , Spicher Fabien , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Tamian Anouch , Thomaes Arno , Thoonen Marijke , Trew Brittany , Van de Vondel Stijn , van den Brink Liesbeth , Vangansbeke Pieter , Verdonck Sanne , Vitkova Michaela , Vives‐Ingla Maria , von Schmalensee Loke , Wang Runxi , Wild Jan , Williamson Joseph , Zellweger Florian , Zhou Xiaqu , Zuza Emmanuel Junior , De Frenne Pieter 
Published: April 2024

Brief introduction: What are microclimates and why are they important?

Microclimate science has developed into a global discipline. Microclimate science is increasingly used to understand and mitigate climate and biodiversity shifts. Here, we provide an overview of the current status of microclimate ecology and biogeography in terrestrial ecosystems, and where this field is heading next.

Microclimate investigations in ecology and biogeography

We highlight the latest research on interactions between microclimates and organisms, including how microclimates influence individuals, and through them populations, communities and entire ecosystems and their processes. We also briefly discuss recent research on how organisms shape microclimates from the tropics to the poles.

Microclimate applications in ecosystem management

Microclimates are also important in ecosystem management under climate change. We showcase new research in microclimate management with examples from biodiversity conservation, forestry and urban ecology. We discuss the importance of microrefugia in conservation and how to promote microclimate heterogeneity.

Methods for microclimate science

We showcase the recent advances in data acquisition, such as novel field sensors and remote sensing methods. We discuss microclimate modelling, mapping and data processing, including accessibility of modelling tools, advantages of mechanistic and statistical modelling and solutions for computational challenges that have pushed the state‐of‐the‐art of the field.

What's next?

We identify major knowledge gaps that need to be filled for further advancing microclimate investigations, applications and methods. These gaps include spatiotemporal scaling of microclimate data, mismatches between macroclimate and microclimate in predicting responses of organisms to climate change, and the need for more evidence on the outcomes of microclimate management.