Table 3.
Climatic variables used for the assessment of climatic niche characteristics of the butterflies in Europe.
| Name | Definition | Unit | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| range.size | Distributional range size as number of occupied grids | Grid cells | Sample size |
| temp | Mean annual temperature | °C | Temperature (STI) |
| range.ann.temp | Annual range in monthly temperature (warmest month - coldest month) | °C | Continentality |
| precip | Annual precipitation sum | mm | Precipitation |
| range.ann.precip | Annual range in monthly precipitation sum (wettest month - driest month) | mm | Oceanity |
| gdd.feb | Accumulated growing degree days above 5°C from January to February | °C | Temperature corrected for metabolic activity preconditions |
| gdd.apr | Accumulated growing degree days above 5°C from January to April | °C | Temperature corrected for metabolic activity preconditions |
| gdd.june | Accumulated growing degree days above 5°C from January to June | °C | Temperature corrected for metabolic activity preconditions |
| gdd.aug | Accumulated growing degree days above 5°C from January to August | °C | Temperature corrected for metabolic activity preconditions |
| swc | Soil water content of the upper horizon (0.5 m) | No unit (0-1) | Water availability |