Contrary to what one might imagine, snow offers a remarkable thermal protection for the soil and for the species which burrow in it or are covered with it. It makes it possible to maintain an acceptable temperature around 32°F (0°C) at ground level thanks to the exchange of heat flows with the earth. A sufficiently thick snow cover therefore protects the plants from frost and would even be equivalent to a fertilizer by reducing the mineralization of the organic matter and avoiding the nitrogen losses.