The FAO EcoCrop approach is based on two response functions (Figs. 1 and 2) calculated by relating climatic data (i.e., temperature and rainfall considered during the crop cycles) to crop-specific parameters. The values of these parameters were derived from interviews to experts and are stored in a dedicated database (http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home).

After the computation of the two response functions, the lowest suitability calculated with temperature and rainfall is selected.

Figure 1. FAO EcoCrop response function for temperature suitability. In this example, the values of the parameters Tmin, TOPmin, TOPmax, Tmax are those used for maize crop.

Figure 2. FAO EcoCrop response function for rainfall suitability. In this example, the values of the parameters Rmin, ROPmin, ROPmax, Rmax are those used for maize crop.

The flow-chart below explains the functioning of the FAO EcoCrop criterion.

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