16.09.2024
Where do people prefer to be on a hot summer day? By the lake, for example, or in the woods, because everyone knows that it is cooler there. Landscape Cooling is becoming increasingly important as temperatures rise due to climate change. But which measures are more effective? Peatland renaturation, reforestation or the unsealing of urban areas? A new study published in the Journal of Environmental Management, in which ZALF was involved, quantifies different measures about their cooling effects on the landscape using the Elbe-Elster model region in Brandenburg as an example. The methodology described and the results can also serve as a basis for decision-making in the national design of the EU-Nature Restauration Law.
The study investigated the effects of different land use measures on the land surface temperature (LST). LST is an important indicator of heat release from land surfaces and plays a central role in the assessment of climate impacts. The researchers chose the rural district of Elbe-Elster, a drought-affected region in Brandenburg, Germany, as a model region.
"Our studies show that targeted land-use changes in the Elbe-Elster district can achieve a significant cooling of up to 3.5°C. This would be an important contribution to the region's adaptation to climate change," explains Prof. Dr. Claas Nendel, Co-Head of the Research Platform Data Analysis and Simulation at ZALF and one of the authors of the study. "In particular, our data show that more trees and wetlands in the region can reduce the negative effects of heat waves and droughts."
Using high-resolution satellite data and statistical models, the researchers simulated different scenarios to analyze the potential cooling effects of different actions. In particular, tree cover and wetlands play an important role in the Elbe-Elster region. They release water into the atmosphere through evaporation. This creates a cooling effect that can have a significant impact on the regional climate. Instead of flowing out of the region via the rivers, the water is retained in the regional water cycle.
How the results can be applied to other regions
The methodology of the study can also be used to evaluate climate adaptation measures in other regions. This could support spatial planning and funding allocation to identify appropriate measures for a specific area. The EU's Nature Restoration Law promotes measures to restore and conserve natural habitats and ecosystems in Europe. The adaptation measures examined in the study, such as rewetting of wetlands and afforestation, are central elements of this law, which aims to promote biodiversity and counteract climate change. The next step is to implement the provisions into national law. Against this background, the importance of the study results for practical implementation is underlined once again.
