Understanding a climate envelope
A climate envelope summarises the conditions in which a taxon is documented. It supports comparison between a plant and a site without turning observed occurrence into a guarantee of success.
The idea at a glance
What the envelope represents
ClimaFlora associates a taxon with bioclimatic temperature and precipitation variables. The observed range covers documented values; the central range represents the more typical part of that distribution.
Core versus boundaries
A local value inside the central range is more representative of documented conditions. A value near an outer boundary deserves more caution because local context and data quality become more important.
What the envelope changes in the analysis
Why several variables matter
Two sites with the same annual mean temperature can differ in heat extremes, coldest-month conditions, annual rainfall or rainfall seasonality. The combination of variables is more informative than any single number.
What it does not capture
The envelope alone does not describe microclimate, exposure, irrigation, competition, pests, wind or cultivation practice. It is a scientific filter, not a horticultural warranty.
How to use it
Check the most limiting variables first, then examine soil and future horizons. Cases close to a boundary are good candidates for field validation or for selecting a more robust taxon.