A new world climatic mapping program to assist species selection

A world climatic mapping program (WORLD) is described which can indicate locations satisfying up to six climatic criteria important for tree species selection. The Windows-based program makes use of data derived from a global 0.5degrees x 0.5degrees dataset developed by interpolation. It includes data for 67 477 locations and provides world-wide coverage of major landmasses excluding Antarctica. As an example application, a published description of climatic requirements for Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) is evaluated and improved. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.