Curieuzeneuzen in de tuin: citizen science towards heat and drought

The “typical Belgian weather” is characterized by a sequence of wet and dry spells, cold and warmer episodes, usually following each other in a sequel of a few days to a few weeks. This temperate and changeable weather is ideal to grow crops like wheat, vegetables and potatoes. But times are changing. Long periods of heat and drought are getting common in springtime and summer.

This is why ‘CurieuzeNeuzen in de Tuin’ has been kicked off! By means of this massive citizen science project we want to gain insight in the microclimate of people’s gardens as well as public green spaces, and measure to which extent they are susceptible to heat and drought. As a side experiment we investigate the impact of extreme weather on the cultivation of potatoes, arguably the favorite crop of every Belgian!

VRI-Member VITO is collaborating to this project. Read the full story here