WASHINGTON: If Europe adopted a style of farming that abstains from ploughing after a harvest, local temperatures could drop as much as two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), researchers said yesterday.
The reason lies in the colour of the soil: untilled land is lighter and reflects sunlight, making the area cooler than it is when dark surfaces are present, according to scientists. Fields that are ploughed also dry out faster. In contrast, untilled land allows moisture to evaporate more slowly and can contribute to cooling.
The effects could be particularly noticeable during hot spells, said the findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peer-reviewed US journal.
AFP
