Global Evapotranspiration and Universal Thermal Climate Index Datasets under Real and Fixed-2000 Vegetation Scenarios (2000–2021)

This record provides two complementary global datasets for 2000–2021: ET_PT-JPLim, an evapotranspiration dataset generated using the Priestley–Taylor Jet Propulsion Laboratory–impervious surface (PT-JPLim) model under vegetation counterfactual simulations, and UTCI_SL (Shao–Li UTCI dataset), a Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) dataset representing vegetation-attributable thermal responses. ET_PT-JPLim. Monthly evapotranspiration (ET) is simulated using the PT-JPLim model under two vegetation scenarios: (1) a real-vegetation scenario, in which vegetation conditions vary during 2000–2021, and (2) a vegetation-fixed counterfactual scenario, in which vegetation conditions are fixed at the year-2000 state while other environmental forcing varies through time. Vegetation-attributable ET changes are quantified from the difference between these two simulations. Monthly and annual ET_PT-JPLim products are provided as NetCDF files at 0.1° spatial resolution. UTCI_SL. The UTCI_SL dataset provides global UTCI products derived under corresponding vegetation scenarios to quantify vegetation-attributable changes in thermal conditions. Monthly and annual UTCI_SL products are provided as GeoTIFF files at approximately 0.25° spatial resolution. For each dataset, 22 annual and 264 monthly time steps are provided. Detailed variable definitions, file naming conventions, units, and scenario descriptions are documented in README_ET_PT-JPLim.md and README_UTCI_SL.md. Citation and related publications. Users of these datasets should cite this Zenodo dataset record and relevant publications describing the underlying methodology and scientific applications. The PT-JPLim-based vegetation counterfactual framework has been applied in: Shao, R., Li, J., Shao, W. et al. Uncovering the hidden role of peri-urban vegetation in modulating urban precipitation. Nature Cities 3, 393–404 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-026-00416-0 The primary research article describing the global vegetation-attributable ET and UTCI analysis associated with these datasets will be linked on the Zenodo record page once available.