The researchers studied soil properties in the northern Tibetan Plateau. They found that soil conductivity and diffusivity change with the seasons, being higher in summer and autumn. Soil moisture content is the main factor affecting these properties, with unfrozen water content playing a significant role. Frozen soils have different thermal properties compared to unfrozen soils. Fine-grained soils with low moisture content have lower thermal conductivity in winter. Soil diffusivity increases with higher moisture content up to a critical value.