The researchers used soil models to study heat and water balances of the ground surface in China. They calculated heat fluxes and soil water content changes for different types of bare soil surfaces at 30 locations. The study found that the amount of evaporation and soil moisture during the dry season depends on the amount of rainfall. Heat fluxes vary geographically, with higher values in southern China and the Tibetan Plateau. Deserts have higher sensible heat fluxes and lower latent heat fluxes. Overall, net radiation is higher on loamy soil surfaces compared to sandy soil surfaces.