Moss research recognized for urban heat mitigation potential

Alexandra von Bartschikowski has been awarded the Bavarian State Medal for Outstanding Services to the Environment for her research into the cooling properties of moss. Her work focuses on the development of "cooling islands" to combat rising urban temperatures.

Von Bartschikowski’s research suggests that moss can be a more effective tool for vegetative cooling and air filtration than trees, particularly in dense urban environments where space is limited. Unlike trees, which require significant space and maintenance, moss can be utilized in compact installations to provide cooling without the high CO2 emissions associated with air conditioning systems.

While moss is often viewed as a nuisance in residential lawns—typically indicating soil issues such as excessive moisture or insufficient light—its biological properties offer significant potential for urban climate adaptation. Current challenges in implementing moss-based urban cooling include high costs and the difficulty of preventing moss facades from drying out.