Objective In order to quantitatively analyze the temperature and humidity regulation effect of different underlying surfaces of urban waterfront belt green space Jiangtan Park a waterfront green area in Anqing was selected as the research object to analyze the relationship between different underlying surfaces and the intensity of cooling and humidifying with the aim of providing a theoretical ground for the planning of urban waterfront green areas. Methods In sunny summer six kinds of underlying surfaces grassland arbor grass arbor shrub grass water body hard pavement and building were selected as the research objects and the open area without vegetation was used as the control. The temperature relative humidity and wind speed were measured to compare the difference in cooling and humidifying effects between different underlying surfaces. Results These six types of underlying surfaces all had the function of cooling and humidifying. The daily change in temperature presented a ??single peak pattern and the daily change in humidity presented a U-shaped pattern. Moreover all types of underlying surfaces reached a high temperature and low humidity state from 11 00 to 13 00 at noon. Among them there were significant differences in temperature and humidity between the underlying surface of the arbor shrub grass and the control site there were significant differences in temperature and humidity between the underlying surface of the arbor grass and the control site there were highly significant differences in humidity and non-significant differences in temperature between the underlying surface of water bodies and the control sites and there were no significant differences in temperature and humidity between the underlying surface of grassland hard surfacing and buildings and control sites. In addition the cooling and humidifying effects of evergreen broad-leaved forests were most obvious in different types of forest land. Conclusion Different types of underlying surfaces show different regulatory effects and plant communities and water bodies can effectively improve the microclimate of the surrounding environment. The results are of practical significance for the rational allocation of waterfront belt green plants.