DOI: 10.5061/dryad.cc2fqz6c8
title: High-resolution environmental and host-related factors impacting questing Ixodes scapularis at their northern range edge

description: The geographic range of tick populations has expanded in Canada due to
 climate warming and the associated poleward range shifts of their
 vertebrate hosts. Abiotic factors, such as temperature, precipitation, and
 snow, are known to directly affect tick abundance. Yet, biotic factors,
 such as the abundance and diversity of mammal hosts, may also alter tick
 abundance and consequent tick-borne disease risk. Here, we incorporated
 host surveillance data with high-resolution environmental data to evaluate
 the combined impact of abiotic and biotic factors on questing Ixodes
 scapularis abundance in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. High-resolution
 abiotic factors were derived from remote sensing satellites and
 meteorological towers, while biotic factors related to mammal hosts were
 derived from active surveillance data that we collected in the field.
 Generalized additive models were used to determine the relative importance
 of abiotic and biotic factors on questing I. scapularis abundance.
 Combinations of abiotic and biotic factors were identified as important
 drivers of abundances of questing I. scapularis. Positive and negative
 linear relationships were found for questing I. scapularis abundance with
 precipitation and accumulated snow, but no effect was found for the
 relative abundance of white-footed mice. Positive relationships were also
 identified between questing I. scapularis abundance with monthly mean
 precipitation and mammal species richness. Therefore, future studies that
 assess I. scapularis should incorporate host surveillance data with
 high-resolution environmental factors to determine the key drivers
 impacting the abundance and geographic spread of tick populations and
 tick-borne pathogens.
description: Broad-scale remote sensing data were extracted from MODIS to
 determine the values of land surface temperature, total
 evapotranspiration, and enhanced vegetation indices. This data was
 extracted and processed in ArcMap and then further processed in
 R. Data was extracted from meteorological towers
 through Environment and Climate Change Canada, which was processed in
 R. Data from field surveys were processed in
 R. 
description: ArcMap was used to process shapefiles and rasters from MODIS.
 Python codes required for the conversion of HDF to TIFF files as well as
 the extraction of each abiotic factor are available.  R
 code was used to process the extracted data and conduct our
 analyses.
description: This README file was generated on 2024-01-22 by Kirsten E. Crandall.
 **GENERAL INFORMATION** 1. Title of dataset: High-resolution environmental
 and host-related factors impacting questing Ixodes scapularis at their
 northern range edge 2. Author information A. First author contact
 information Name: Kirsten E. Crandall Institution: McGill University and
 University of Ottawa Address: Montréal, Québec, Canada Email:
 B. Co-author contact information
 Name: Virginie Millien Institution: McGill University Address: Montréal,
 Québec, Canada Email: Name: Jeremy T.
 Kerr Institution: University of Ottawa Address: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
 Email: 3. Date of data collection (approximate
 range date): 2018-2019 4. Geographic location of data collection: Ontario
 and Québec, Canada 5. Information about funding sources that supported
 data collection: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of
 Canada (including RGPIN-2017-03839 and RGPIN-2017-147544), Hydro-Québec
 **SHARING/ACCESS INFORMATION** 1. Licenses/restrictions placed on the
 data: CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain 2. Links to publications
 that cite or use the data: Crandall, K. E., Kerr, J. T., & Millien, V.
 (2022). Emerging tick-borne pathogens in Central Canada: Recent detections
 of Babesia odocoilei and Rickettsia rickettsii. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic
 Diseases. Crandall, K. E., Kerr, J. T., & Millien, V. (2024). Pathogen
 presence, prevalence, and diversity in Ixodes scapualris and mammal hosts
 at their expanding northern range limits. Frontiers in Parasitology. 3.
 Links to other publicly accessible locations of data: None 4.
 Links/relations to ancillary data sets: None 5. Was data derived from
 another source: Yes A. If yes, list source(s): i. Land surface
 temperature, total evapotranspiration, and enhanced vegetation index were
 extracted using MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) from
 NASA's data Terra satellites
 (). Land surface temperature
 (MOD11A2 v006) by MODIS -
 Enhanced vegetation
 indices (MOD13A2 v006) by MODIS -
 Total
 evapotranspiration (MOD16A2 v006) by MODIS -
 ii. Historical
 meteorological data was extracted from Environment and Climate Change
 Canada's meteorological towers
 (). 6. Recommended citation for this dataset: Crandall, K. E., Millien, V., & Kerr, J. T. (2024). Data from: High-resolution environmental and host-related factors impacting questing Ixodes scapularis at their northern range edge **DATA & FILE OVERVIEW** File list: Raw data from field surveys A) RawData_Mammal_Cam.csv B) RawData_Mammal_Trap.csv C) RawData_Ticks_Summer.csv Extracted abiotic (or environmental) metrics from MODIS data and ArcMap analyses D) EVI_1000m.xlsx E) LST_1000m.xlsx F) TE_1000m.xlsx Extracted abiotic metrics from ECCC meteorological towers G) Baldwin.csv H) BeatriceClimate.csv I) CoteauDuLac.csv J) Lingwick.csv K) OmpahSeitz.csv L) Rigaud.csv M) Sabrevois.csv N) Sprucedale.csv O) StBernardDeLacolle.csv P) StGermainDeGrantham.csv Q) StPierreDeBroughton.csv R) StThomas.csv S) ThetfordMines.csv T) Tillsonburg.csv U) Uxbridge.csv Summarized values of abiotic and biotic variables per site V) Abiotic_Biotic.csv Code for data manipulation and analyses Python (version 2.7.18) Conversion_HDF_to_TIFF.py 2019_EVI_Data.py 2019_LST_Data.py 2019_TE_Data.py R (version 4.1.1) EcologyEvolution_RScript_Jan2024.R 1. Relationship between files, if important: None 2. Additional related data collected that was not included in the current data package: None 3. Are there multiple versions of this dataset? No A. If yes, name of file(s) that was update: NA i. Why was the file updated? NA ii. When was the file updated? NA \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: RawData_Mammal_Cam.csv RawData_Mammal_Cam.csv describes information related to the mammals that were photographed by trail cameras at each field site. 1. Number of variables: 21 2. Number of rows: 172 3. Variable list: Site: Name of field site Date collected: Date of photograph (day-month-year) Camera number: Camera number used during field survey Latitude: Latitude of camera trap in decimal degrees Longitude: Longitude of camera trap in decimal degrees Start (photo number): Photo number where mammal individual first identified End (photo number): Photo number where mammal individual last identified Month: Month of photograph Date: Date of photograph Time start: Time where mammal individual first identified (24 hour clock) Time end: Time where mammal individual last identified (24 hour clock) Total time (mins): Time in minutes from time start to end Common name: Common name of animal in photograph (listed as unknown if uncertain) Specimen: Genus and species name of animal in photograph (N/A if unknown) Genus: Genus name of animal in photograph (N/A if unknown) Species: Species name of animal in photograph (N/A if unknown) Individual abundance: Number of individuals in the photograph Adult abundance: Number of adult individuals in the photograph Juvenile abundance: Number of juvenile individuals in the photograph Sex: Sex of the animal(s) in the photograph QA flag: Identification of potential issues with the photograph or identified animal (Flag when problem identified) 4. Missing data codes: NA or N/A (data not available or not applicable) 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: NONE \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: RawData_Mammal_Trap.csv RawData_Mammal_Trap.csv that describes the small mammals that were collected during trapping in our study grids at each field site. The animals were identified to species, where Peromyscus species were tested genetically to ensure the correct species was attributed. This file contains both collected animals that are now housed at the Redpath Museum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and those that were released at the field site. 1. Number of variables: 29 2. Number of rows: 195 3. Variable list: Site: Name of field site Date collected: Date when animal was trapped (day-month-year) Field ID: Identification number of animal specimen Month: Month when animal trapped Day: Date when animal trapped Grid #: Grid numbers (1 to 3) used at each field site Trap #: Trap numbers (1 to 84) used at each field site Trap Laid: Date trap first deployed Trap Collected: Date trap removed Total # trap nights: Total number of trap nights at a field site Trap Night #: Specific trap night number Specimen: Genus and species name of trapped animal Genus: Genus name of trapped animal Species: Species name of trapped animal Weight (g): Weight of collected animal in grams immediately after sacrifice H+B (mm): Head-and-body length of collected animal in mm immediately after sacrifice Tail (mm): Tail length of collected animal in mm immediately after sacrifice Foot (mm): Foot length of collected animal in mm immediately after sacrifice Ear (mm): Ear length of collected animal in mm immediately after sacrifice Sex: Sex of trapped animal listed as male, female, or juvenile Breeding: General notes on breeding condition of trapped animal and number of embryos (if applicable) Tick larva: Number of tick larva found on trapped animal Tick nymph: Number of tick nymphs found on trapped animal Tick adult: Number of tick adults found on trapped animal Total ticks: Total number of ticks found on trapped animal Released: Trapped animal was released (Y) or collected (N) Latitude: Latitude of camera trap in decimal degrees Longitude: Longitude of camera trap in decimal degrees Trap type: Type of trap used for field surveys 4. Missing data codes: NA (data not available or not applicable) 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: NONE \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: RawData_Ticks_Summer.csv RawData_Ticks_Summer.csv that describes the number of ticks that were collected every 10 meters along transects in our study grids at each field site. The tick specimens were identified to species using dichotomous keys and microscopy. 1. Number of variables: 19 2. Number of rows: 1421 3. Variable list: Site: Name of field site Date collected: Date when tick was collected (day-month-year) either through tick dragging or on trapped animals Latitude: Latitude of camera trap in decimal degrees Longitude: Longitude of camera trap in decimal degrees Site number: Site number used at a field site Grid number: Grid number used at a field site Transect number: Transect number used at a field site within a grid Trap number: Trap number used at a field site along each transect within a grid Vial number: Vial number of collected ticks at that site, grid, transect, and trap number \# larve: Number of larval ticks found while tick dragging or on trapped animal \# nymph: Number of nymphal ticks found while tick dragging or on trapped animal \# adult female: Number of adult female ticks found while tick dragging or on trapped animal \# adult male: Number of adult male ticks found while tick dragging or on trapped animal Total # ticks: Total number of ticks found while tick dragging or on trapped animal NOTES lifestage: Number of ticks per lifestage Tick species: Species name of ticks collected (verified using microscopy and dichotomous keys) Notes ticks: General notes on lifestage, engorgement, and identification of collected specimens Q or F: Type of activity of collected ticks either questing in the environment (Q) or feeding on a trapped animal (F) Lifestage: Lifestage of collected ticks 4. Missing data codes: NA (data not applicable) 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: L: larvae, N: nymph, AF: adult female, AM: adult male \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: EVI_1000m.xlsx MODIS vegetation index data (MOD13A2) for tiles 12,4 and 13,4 were downloaded in HDF format, which required their conversion into TIFF files. The Python code "Conversion_HDF_to_TIFF.py" can be used for this conversion. EVI_1000m.xlsx that describes the zonal statistics of the enhanced vegetation indices within a 1 km buffer of our field sites between December 2018 and December 2019. The Python code required to calculate the enhanced vegetation indices (EVI) is 2019_EVI_Data.py. 1. Number of variables: 15 2. Number of rows: 229 3. Variable list: Acquisition_Date: Julian date of acquisition of MODIS imagery (year-date) Production_Date: Julian date of production of MODIS imagery (year-date) Year: Year from Julian date of acquisition Month: Month from Julian date of acquisition Date: Day from Julian date acquisition Site: Name of field site ID: Site number identification (1 to 16) Count: Number of 500 x 500 m cells within the 1km buffer region of our sites Area: Area covered by the cells within the 1 km buffer region of our sites Min: Minimum value of enhanced vegetation index within the 1km buffer region of our sites Max: Maximum value of enhanced vegetation index within the 1km buffer region of our sites Range: Range of values of enhanced vegetation index within the 1km buffer region of our sites Mean: Mean value of enhanced vegetation index within the 1km buffer region of our sites STD: Standard deviation of enhanced vegetation index within the 1km buffer region of our sites Sum: Sum of values of enhanced vegetation index within the 1km buffer region of our sites 4. Missing data codes: NONE 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: NONE \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: LST_1000m.xlsx MODIS land surface temperature data (MOD11A2) for tiles 12,4 and 13,4 were downloaded in HDF format, which required their conversion into TIFF files. The Python code "Conversion_HDF_to_TIFF.py" can be used for this conversion. LST_1000m.xlsx that describes the zonal statistics of the land surface temperature within a 1 km buffer of our field sites between December 2018 and December 2019. The Python code required to calculate the land surface temperatures (LST) is 2019_LST_Data.py. 1. Number of variables: 16 2. Number of rows: 2165 3. Variable list: Acquisition_Date: Julian date of acquisition of MODIS imagery (year-date) Production_Date: Julian date of production of MODIS imagery (year-date) Year: Year from Julian date of acquisition Month: Month from Julian date of acquisition Date: Day from Julian date acquisition D_or_N: Time of day listed as either day or night Site: Name of field site ID: Site number identification (1 to 16) Count: Number of 500 x 500 m cells within the 1km buffer region of our sites Area: Area covered by the cells within the 1 km buffer region of our sites Min: Minimum value of land surface temperature within the 1km buffer region of our sites Max: Maximum value of land surface temperature within the 1km buffer region of our sites Range: Range of values of land surface temperature within the 1km buffer region of our sites Mean: Mean value of land surface temperature within the 1km buffer region of our sites STD: Standard deviation of land surface temperature within the 1km buffer region of our sites Sum: Sum of values of land surface temperature within the 1km buffer region of our sites 4. Missing data codes: NONE 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: NONE \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: TE_1000m.xlsx MODIS evapotranspiration data (MOD16A2) for tiles 12,4 and 13,4 were downloaded in HDF format, which required their conversion into TIFF files. The Python code "Conversion_HDF_to_TIFF.py" can be used for this conversion. TE_1000m.xlsx that describes the zonal statistics of the enhanced vegetation indices within a 1 km buffer of our field sites between December 2018 and December 2019. The Python code required to calculate the total evapotranspiration (TE) is 2019_TE_Data.py. 1. Number of variables: 15 2. Number of rows: 570 3. Variable list: Acquisition_Date: Julian date of acquisition of MODIS imagery (year-date) Production_Date: Julian date of production of MODIS imagery (year-date) Year: Year from Julian date of acquisition Month: Month from Julian date of acquisition Date: Day from Julian date acquisition Site: Name of field site ID: Site number identification (1 to 16) Count: Number of 500 x 500 m cells within the 1km buffer region of our sites Area: Area covered by the cells within the 1 km buffer region of our sites Min: Minimum value of total evapotranspiration within the 1km buffer region of our sites Max: Maximum value of total evapotranspiration within the 1km buffer region of our sites Range: Range of values of total evapotranspiration within the 1km buffer region of our sites Mean: Mean value of total evapotranspiration within the 1km buffer region of our sites STD: Standard deviation of total evapotranspiration within the 1km buffer region of our sites Sum: Sum of values of total evapotranspiration within the 1km buffer region of our sites 4. Missing data codes: NONE 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: NONE \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Baldwin.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation and snow on the ground that were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The name of the meteorological tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: BeatriceClimate.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: CoteauDuLac.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Lingwick.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: OmpahSeitz.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Rigaud.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Sabrevois.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Sprucedale.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: StBernardDeLacolle.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: StPierreDeBroughton.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: StGermainDeGrantham.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: StThomas.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: ThetfordMines.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Tillsonburg.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Uxbridge.csv Historical meteorological data related to precipitation (PRECIP) and snow on the ground (SOG) were extracted from Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorological towers. The raw data extracted for site are amalgated in a separate CSV file for each meteorological tower. The name of the tower associated with each field site is listed in the R code. 1. Number of variables: 31 2. Number of rows: 730 3. Variable list: Longitude: Longitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Latitude: Latitude of meteorological tower in decimal degrees Station_Name: Name of meteorological tower Climate_ID: Identification number of meteorological tower Date: Date of collection (year-month-day) Year: Year of collection Month: Month of collection Day: Day of collection Data_Quality: Quality of data (see below for possible flags) Max_Temp: Highest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Max_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Min_Temp: Lowest temperature in degrees Celsius observed at a location for a specified time interval Min_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Mean_Temp: Average of the maximum and minimum temperature at a location for a specified time interval Mean_Temp_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Heat_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius Heat_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Cool_Deg_Days: Number of degrees Celsius that the mean temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius Cool_Deg_Days_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Rain: Total rainfall, or amount of all liquid precipitation in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Rain_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Snow: Total snowfall, or amount of frozen precipitation in cm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Snow_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Total_Precip: Sum of total rainfall and the water equivalent of total snowfall in mm observed at a location during a specified time interval Total_Precip_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Snow_Ground: Depth of the snow in cm on the ground Snow_Ground_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Dir_Max_Gust: Direction of the maximum gust from which the wind blows in tens of degrees Dir_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) Spd_Max_Gust: Speed in kilometres per hour of the maximum wind gust during the day Spd_Max_Gust_Flag: Flag in data measure (see below for possible flags) 4. Missing data codes: Empty cells indicate an unobserved value 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: Possible flags in quality or data measures employed by Environment and Climate Change A: Accumulated C: Precipitation occurred, amount uncertain E: Estimated F: Accumulated and estimated L: Precipitation may or may not have occurred M: Missing N: Temperature missing but known to be &gt; 0 S: More than one occurrence T: Trace ^: Value displayed is based on incomplete data Crossed symbol: Data that is not subject to review by the National Climate Archives \############################################################ DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Abiotic_Biotic.csv The R code used to summarize the abiotic and biotic factors associated with each field site is named "EcologyEvolution_RScript_Jan2024.R". This code was written under R version 4.1.1. with all the required packages listed at the top of the code or before where specific analyses are conducted. This code was also used to conduct the statistical analyses including Spearman correlations, spatial autocorrelation assessments, and generalized additive models. 1. Number of variables: 32 2. Number of rows: 16 3. Variable list: ID: Site number Site: Name of site Nb trapped hosts: Number of distinct mammal host species trapped during small mammal trapping Nb camera hosts: Number of distinct mammal host species identified from camera photographs Nb trap & camera hosts: Number of distinct mammal host species found during small mammal trapping or identified from photographs Abundance P. leucopus (trap): Abundance of collected Peromyscus leucopus individuals during small mammal trapping at a site Abundance small mamm (trap): Abundance of collected small mammal individuals during small mammal trapping at a site Relative abundance P. leucopus (trap): Relative abundance of Peromyscus leucopus individuals, which was calculated as the abundance of collected P. leucopus individuals per site divided by the abundance of collected small mammals per site AbundQIS: Abundance of questing Ixodes scapularis per site Latitude: Latitude of site in decimal degrees Longitude: Longitude of site in decimal degrees Weather.tower: Name of meteorological tower used to extract historical environmental data from Environment and Climate Change Canada Distance.from.site: Distance from meteorological tower to each site Daily.sum.precip: Sum of the daily precipitation at each site based on weather tower data Weekly.sum.precip: Sum of the weekly precipitation at each site based on weather tower data Weekly.mean.precip: Mean of weekly precipitation at each site based on weather tower data Monthly.sum.precip: Sum of monthly precipitation at each site based on weather tower data Monthly.mean.precip: Mean of monthly precipitation at each site based on weather tower data Accumulated.sog: Total accumulation of snow on the ground at each site from the previous winter based on weather tower data Daily.sum.lst: Sum of the daily land surface temperature at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Weekly.mean.lst: Mean of the weekly land surface temperature at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Monthly.mean.lst: Mean of the monthly land surface temperature at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Min.winter.lst: Minimum winter land surface temperature at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Max.summer.lst: Maximum summer land surface temperature at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Daily.te: Sum of the daily total evapotranspiration at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Weekly.mean.te: Mean of the weekly total evapotranspiration at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Monthly.mean.te: Mean of the monthly total evapotranspiration at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Summer.mean.te: Mean of the summer total evapotranspiration at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Daily.evi: Sum of the daily enhanced vegetation index at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Weekly.mean.evi: Mean of the weekly enhanced vegetation index at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Monthly.mean.evi: Mean of the monthly enhanced vegetation index at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses Summer.mean.evi: Mean of the summer enhanced vegetation index at each site based on MODIS data and ArcMap analyses 4. Missing data codes: NA (data not available) 5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: NONE PRECIP: precipitation, SOG: snow on the ground, LST: land surface temperature, TE: total evapotranspiration, EVI: enhanced vegetation index **CODE OVERVIEW** The first code that was used was the "Conversion_HDF_to_TIFF.py" written in Python to be used with ArcMap. This code was written to convert the HDF files downloaded from MODIS into TIFF files that can be used in ArcMap. For each abiotic variable, the associated Python codes ("2019_EVI_Data.py","2019_LST_Data.py", and "2019_TE_Data.py") were used to extract the enhanced vegetation indices, land surface tempratures, and total evapotranspiration within a 1 km buffer of our field sites. The latitude and longitudes of each field site are located in the CSV file named "Abiotic_Biotic.csv", which can be used to create a point shapefile of the field sites. These codes will extract the Zonal statistics within the 1 km buffer area that can then be used to calculate the desired time period (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, or annual) for further analyses. The R code associated with processing the raw data from field surveys and running the statistical analyses is named "EcologyEvolution_RScript_Jan2024.R".