By Hanspeter Liniger and Jovana Askrabic
Why Cover Matters for Soil, Water, and Climate … more than you think! How hot does the ground really get? Measurements on green grass, bare soil, and asphalt show huge temperature differences — reaching over 30 °C. Using a thermal drone, soil sensors, a soil stability test, and a rainfall simulator, researchers Hanspeter Liniger and Jovana Askrabic reveal how land management affects:
- Soil temperature
- Soil structure and health
- Water infiltration and storage
- Climate and landscape resilience: global warming, heat waves, heavy rainfall, floods and erosion
Key message: Bare soil heats up fast, loses its stability, and loses water. Covered soil stays cooler, healthier, and protects our water and climate. Soil cover in summer is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cool and protect landscapes and strengthen the local water cycle.
For more information, check this slide deck.
