Influence of land use on water and temperature regimes of soils

Ing. Bunthorn Thet

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

This study evaluated the influence of different land use and surface cover types in urban areas—bare soil, concrete paving, bark mulch, mown grass, and unmown grass on soil water and temperature regimes and their subsequent impacts on soil properties. Field monitoring and laboratory analyses demonstrated that surface cover significantly affected hydrothermal conditions, soil structure, hydraulic properties, and CO₂ emissions. Bare soil and concrete paving created adverse thermal conditions characterized by high summer temperatures and large temperature fluctuations, whereas bark mulch improved soil moisture and moderated seasonal temperatures due to its insulating effect. Grass-covered soils exhibited the most favorable conditions, with unmown grass providing the most stable microclimate and the highest overall physical soil quality, driven by shading, root activity, and the accumulation of organic residues. Although bark mulch improved soil structure and hydraulic properties, it also increased CO₂ emissions due to the accelerated decomposition of organic matter. Overall, the findings highlight the important role of vegetation and organic surface covers in enhancing urban soil functioning and underscore the need for long-term studies across diverse soil types and urban management practices.

Keywords

Soil structure, Soil cover, Soil water, Soil properties, Soil hydraulic properties, Soil temperature, CO₂ emissions.

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 27. 8. 2026

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. Ing. Radka Kodešová, CSc.
• Reader: David Zumr, externi, Miroslav Tesař, Bc., externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources

Doctoral programme:
Exploitation and Conservation of Natural Resources