Student Research Reports

View Research Report

Land cover plays a crucial role in understanding ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental changes. The GLOBE Program (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) offers a standardized methodology for land cover measurement and analysis, allowing students and researchers worldwide to contribute to environmental monitoring. This study utilized the GLOBE methodology to assess vegetation structure and composition in the Taevaskoja area, located in southeastern Estonia. The research aimed to compare two distinct vegetation sites and test hypotheses related to shrub density, ground vegetation abundance, forest density, and tree canopy cover. The data collection involved tools such as a measuring tape, string, MUC code guide, phone compass, densiometer, clinometer, and flags to ensure accurate measurements. Our findings revealed significant differences between the two research areas, with varying levels of shrub density, canopy cover, and forest openness. The hypotheses regarding ground vegetation and shrub density were largely supported, though tree canopy density was not consistently observed across both sites. These results highlight the influence of local environmental factors on land cover characteristics and emphasize the need for further investigation to better understand vegetation distribution in the region. This study contributes to the broader environmental education and citizen science efforts fostered by the GLOBE Program.