microclimate is the suite of climatic conditions measured in localized areas near the earth's surface. These environmental vari- ables, which include temperature, light, wind speed, and moisture, have been critical throughout human his- tory, providing meaningful indica- tors for habitat selection and other activities. For example, for 2600 years the Chinese have used localized seasonal changes in tempera- ture and precipitation to schedule their agricultural activities. In semi- nal studies, Shirley emphasized microclimate as a determinant of ecological patterns in both plant and animal communities and a driver of such processes as the growth and mortality of organisms. The importance of microclimate in influencing ecological processes such as plant regeneration and growth, soil respiration, nutrient cycling, and