Science for Environment Policy

Soil Sealing: effects on urban flooding and temperatures explored in new report

A report exploring the effects of covering the land with artificial surfaces has just been published online by Science for Environment Policy.

It is free to download from:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/indepth_reports.htm

Sealing natural land with paving, housing, car parks and other impenetrable surfaces prevents soil from performing its vital services for society, and can lead to increased flood risk and elevated city temperatures.

This In-depth Report summarises and collates current research on ‘Soil Sealing’. It highlights major issues and concerns, particularly for urban temperatures and the water cycle, as well as outlining existing responses and possible strategies for the future.

In-depth Reports are a new series of publications from Science for Environment Policy, a service from the European Commission, which comprehensively report on the latest research concerning key policy issues.

Science for Environment Policy also publishes a free weekly News Alert which rounds up the latest policy-relevant research. To subscribe:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/subscribe.htm