Each pixel value corresponds to the mean historical “Best-quality” Max-NDVI value for a given week, as calculated from the previous 20 years in the MODIS historical record (i.e. does not include data from the current year). These data are also often referred to as “weekly baselines” or “weekly normals”.

Dry spell periods are defined as the number of days (April 1 – October 31) where daily precipitation is less than 0.5 mm. This is not an accumulation of precipitation, simply a count of days. Dry spell products are only generated during the Growing Season, April 1 through October 31.

Last Spring Frost (0 °C) is defined as the average day, during the first half of the year, of the last occurrence of a minimum temperature at or below 0 °C. These values are calculated across Canada in 10x10 km cells.

The Moisture Anomaly Index (Palmer-Z) is an estimate of the moisture difference from normal (a 30-year mean). It attempts to express conditions for the current month regardless of what may have occurred before the month in question.

Monthly mean temperature from Bedford Institute of Oceanography North Atlantic Model (BNAM) results were averaged over 1990 to 2015 period to create monthly mean climatology for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, which can be considered as a representation of the climatological state of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. The BNAM model is eddy-resolving, NEMO-based ice-ocean coupled North Atlantic Ocean model developed at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO) to support DFO monitoring programs. The data available here is monthly climatology for eight selected depths (surface, 110 m, 156 m, 222 m, 318 m, 541 m, 1062 m, bottom) in 1/12 degree spatial resolution. The data for each month from 1990 until present for the entire model domain ( 8°–75°N latitude and 100°W–30°E longitude) and various depths is available upon request. The 1990-2017 model hindcast result is compared with observational data from surface drifter and satellite altimetry. The model demonstrates good skill in simulating surface currents, winter convection events in the Labrador Sea, and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation as observed at 26.5°N and 41°N. Model results have been used to interpret changes in the Labrador Current and observed warming events on the Scotian Shelf, and are reported through the annual AZMP Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Process. When using data please cite following: Wang, Z., Lu, Y., Greenan, B., Brickman, D., and DeTracey, B., 2018. BNAM: An eddy resolving North Atlantic Ocean model to support ocean monitoring. Can. Tech. Rep. Hydrogr. Ocean. Sci. 327: vii + 18p

30-year Average Number of Days with Minimum Daily Temperature below -30 °C is defined as the count of climate days during the month where the minimum daily temperature was below -30 °C. These values are calculated across Canada in 10x10 km cells.

The impact of climatic variability on the environment is of great importance to the agricultural sector in Canada. Monitoring the impacts on water supplies, soil degradation and agricultural production is essential to the preparedness of the region in dealing with possible drought and other agroclimate risks. Derived normal climate data represent 30-year averages (1961-1990, 1971-2000, 1981-2010, 1991-2020) of climate conditions observed at a particular location. The derived normal climate data represents 30-year averages or “normals” for precipitation, temperature, growing degree days, crop heat units, frost, and dry spells. These normal trends are key to understanding agroclimate risks in Canada. These normal can be used as a baseline to compare against current conditions, and are particularly useful for monitoring drought risk.

Each pixel value corresponds to the quality control, cloud cover and snow fraction value for each pixel in the Best-Quality Max-NDVI product.

These datasets show the areas where major crops can be expected within the agricultural regions of Canada. Results are provided as rasters with numerical values for each pixel indicating the level of spatial density calculated for a specific crop type in that location. Regions with higher spatial density for a certain crop have higher likelihood to have the same crop based on the previous years mapped crop inventories.

Total GHG emissions for 31 national parks were estimated using the Generic Carbon Budget Model (GCBM), a spatially explicit carbon budget model developed by Canadian Forest Service which uses forest inventory, disturbance, and mean annual temperature data along with yield data to estimate growth and merchantable volume for dominant tree species. Species- and Ecozone-specific equations are then used to convert merchantable volume to aboveground and belowground biomass carbon. The GCBM simulates carbon dynamics to produce spatially explicit estimations of carbon stocks and fluxes. The model simulates and tracks carbon stocks, transfers between Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)-defined pools, and other metrics including net ecosystem production, net biome production, and emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) in annual time steps. The stocks and fluxes are also tracked by disturbance event (e.g., forest fires). Total GHG emissions include those from natural processes like respiration and decomposition and those due to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, including wildfires, prescribed burns, and insect outbreaks. These were calculated as the sum of CO2, CH4, and N2O emission estimates in tonnes carbon (tonnes C) generated by the GCBM. Emissions estimates were then converted to carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) using the 100-year Global Warming Potential (IPCC Fourth Assessment Report) factors for CH4 (25) and N2O (298). These products have a spatial resolution of 30m. This information is part of the Parks Canada Carbon Atlas Series. To obtain a copy of this report, please contact changementclimatique-climatechange@pc.gc.ca. When using this data, please cite as follows: Sharma, T., Kurz, W.A., Fellows, M., MacDonald, A.L., Richards, J., Chisholm, C., Seutin, G., Richardson, K., Keenleyside, K. (2023). Parks Canada Carbon Atlas Series: Carbon Dynamics in the Forests of Canada’s National Parks. Scientific Report. Parks Canada Agency, Gatineau, QC, Canada, 104 p.