Earth’s land surface interacts with thermal energy from sunlight in a variety of ways. Some terrain types readily absorb and retain heat, while others diffuse heat quickly. Factors that determine land surface thermal properties include how much sunlight the land reflects back into space, the presence or absence of vegetation, and the land's water or ice content.

The thermal properties of an area of land can greatly affect ecosystems and agriculture. Decision makers often take heat exchange with land into account when creating water irrigation strategies, managing crop health and water stress, and reducing heat island effects in urban areas. 

NASA’s Earth-observing satellites collect data on several factors that help researchers model surface thermal properties, such as land surface temperature, soil moisture, and albedo. These data products help scientists better understand Earth’s energy cycle and enable studies into weather, agriculture production, and ecosystem health.