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Degree Growing Days

Definition

Growing degree days for a given crop are calculated each day, as the average of the daily maximum and minimum temperatures, minus a certain base temperature, where this base temperature represents the threshold under which that crop will not grow. "Growing degree days" are a heuristic tool that measures heat accumulation for crops from sowing through harvest, with phenological transitions occurring after a certain accumulation of growing degree days.

GEOGLAM Agriculture Indicator Category
Agricultural Land Includes or is Indicated by

Non-Perennial Cropland Mask, with priority given to crops (as determined by Non-Perennial Crop Type Map) for whom GDD are a known correlate with phenological development.
 

EAV Stewards
Within Season Requirements:
Application or Policy Supported Related Variables Frequency of Update Spatial Unit

Tracking phenological development, linking to the drought

Daily

0.10 degree or finer