Student Research Reports

View Research Report

Bodies of water, including lakes and rivers, significantly influence the local climate, weather patterns, and ecosystems. While large bodies of water, such as oceans, have a major impact on global climate, smaller bodies like lakes and rivers also play a critical role in their immediate surroundings. This study aimed to examine how proximity to a body of water affects air humidity and temperature across different terrain types, specifically comparing forested areas, clearings, and forest edges. The hypothesis posited that air humidity would decrease with increasing distance from the water and that forested areas would have higher humidity levels compared to clearings. Additionally, it was hypothesized that temperatures in forested areas would be lower than in open fields. Measurements of air temperature, humidity, and surface temperature were taken at various points along the Saesaare Reservoir in three distinct terrain types. The results showed that while air humidity remained stable regardless of distance from the lake, forested areas exhibited higher humidity levels than open fields. Temperature data also confirmed that the forest was cooler than the open field. These findings highlight the role of vegetation and proximity to water bodies in shaping microclimates, providing valuable insights for environmental planning and climate modeling.