Bioclimate map of Sardinia (Italy)

Bioclimatology deals with the interrelation between climate and living organisms, in particular, plants and plant communities, considering the main climate variables that are relevant for
species distribution. In this context spatial interpolation of monthly temperature and
precipitation data using 203 rain gauges and 68 temperature gauges for Sardinia (Italy) was
undertaken. As interpolation technique, we used regression kriging which combines multiple
linear regression (MLR) with ordinary kriging of the residuals. MLR procedures include as
independent variables: altitude, latitude, longitude, coast distance and a topographic factor
of relative elevation. Elevation data were obtained from digital elevation model at 40 m
resolution. Following the approach of the Worldwide Bioclimatic Classification System, a
bioclimatic diagnosis of the entire territory was derived using map algebra calculations of
the bioclimatic indices proposed by Rivas-Martı´nez et al. [(2011). Worldwide Bioclimatic
classification system. Global Geobotany, 1, 1–638]. Two macrobioclimates (Mediterranean
pluviseasonal oceanic and Temperate oceanic), one macrobioclimatic variant
(Submediterranean), and four classes of continentality (from weak semihyperoceanic to
weak semicontinental), eight thermotypic horizons (from lower thermomediterranean to
upper supratemperate) and seven ombrotypic horizons (from lower dry to lower
hyperhumid) were identified, resulting in a combination of 43 isobioclimates. The resulting
map represents a useful environmental stratum, for regional planning, ecological modeling
and biodiversity conservation.