EFFECT OF VEGETATION SHADE ON SOIL TEMPERATURE

Abstract

Context and background The Polytechnic University of Valencia UPV is collaborating with Valencia City Council in Spain, as part of the European GrowGreen project, to carry out a baseline study of the neighborhood, with the aim of improving the well-being of citizens and enhancing the green infrastructure of the Benicalap district. Goal and Objectives: In this research, monthly climate data recordings are made between April 2018 and July 2012, to compare the effects of different vegetation in different areas of the Benicalap park, on the temperature inside the soil as a function of the seasons. Methodology: The methodology followed is based on digital recordings of soil temperatures and humidities at two different depths: 5 cm and 15 cm, in different selected areas within the park. The recording period runs from April 14, 2018 to July 12, 2021. Each zone contains two points where a station for measuring soil temperature and humidity has been installed. The station is equipped with a data logger (EM50, Decagon Devices, Pullman, Washington, USA) programmed to record hourly climate data. One of the three zones contains a control point at pergola level for ambient temperature and humidity data. Results: In 5 cm soil depth: The holm oak has a cooling effect (temperature reduction rate for 5 cm depth varies from 1.21°C to 3.01°C). The orange tree has a cooling effect during the cold period (temperature reduction rate varies from 0.84°C to 0.04°C) and a warming effect during the warm period (temperature increase rate at 5 cm depth is 0.66°C). The pine grove zone has a cooling effect in both the cold and warm periods (temperature reduction rate at 5 cm depth varies from 1.48°C to 2.53°C). In 15 cm soil depth: The holm oak has a greater cooling effect at 15 cm depth than at 5 cm depth (Temperature reduction rate for 15 cm depth varies from 2.51°C to 4.31°C). The orange tree has a cooling effect during both the cold and warm periods (temperature reduction rate at 15 cm depth varies from 0.64°C to 2.14°C). The pine grove zone has a cooling effect in both the cold and warm periods (temperature reduction rate at 15cm depth varies from 2.78°C to 3.83°C), and the temperatures recorded at 15 cm depth are lower than those recorded at 5 cm depth in the pine grove zone.

Keywords

• green infrastructure
• vegetation
• climate
• soil
• planting
• datalogger