Here is the result of the publication entitled “Assessing the cooling potential of climate change adaptation measures in rural areas“, which indicates that there are large potentials for cooling the landscapes with water retention measures and increased vegetation.
“Our studies show that targeted land use changes can achieve significant cooling of up to 3.5 °C in the Elbe-Elster district. This would be an important contribution to adapting the region to climate change,” explains Prof. Dr. Claas Nendel, co-head of the Data Analysis and Simulation research platform at ZALF and one of the authors of the study. “We can see from our data that more trees and wetlands in the region in particular can reduce the negative effects of heat waves and droughts.”
Using high-resolution satellite data and statistical models, the researchers simulated various scenarios to analyze the potential cooling effects of different measures. Tree populations and wetlands in particular play an important role in the Elbe-Elster district. These landscape elements release water into the atmosphere through evaporation. This creates a cooling effect that can greatly influence the regional climate of a region. Instead of flowing out of the region via the rivers, the water is kept in the regional water cycle.
The study’s methodology can also be used to evaluate climate adaptation measures in other regions. This could support spatial planning and the allocation of funding to identify sensible measures for a specific area. The EU Renaturation Act promotes measures to restore and preserve natural habitats and ecosystems in Europe. The adaptation measures examined in the study, such as the rewetting of wetlands and afforestation, are central elements of this law and contribute to its goal of promoting biodiversity and counteracting 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 once again underlined.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479724015810
