How does ground cover contribute to temperature reduction in a landscape?

Ground cover plays a significant role in temperature reduction in a landscape primarily by providing shading and reducing glare. When ground cover plants expand and establish a dense mat of foliage, they block sunlight from directly hitting the soil and lower vegetation beneath them. This shading effect helps to keep the soil and surrounding air cooler, which can be beneficial for other plants in the area as well as for reducing heat stress in creatures and people alike.

Additionally, the reducing glare aspect is important for maintaining a comfortable microclimate, especially in urban areas where hard surfaces tend to reflect sunlight and contribute to the urban heat island effect. By softening these surfaces and creating shaded areas, ground cover plants contribute to a more pleasant and temperate environment.

The other options do not align with the beneficial effects of ground cover. For instance, increasing sun exposure would lead to higher temperatures, rather than reducing them. Raising soil temperature is counterproductive to temperature reduction, and minimizing soil moisture can lead to stress for plants, which contradicts the ecological benefits provided by lush ground cover.