Student Research Reports

GLOBE Projects

GLOBE Breadcrumb

"Analysis of the Tree Coverage Change in Loma Verde, Buenos Aires, Argentina over the Last 13 Years"

Organization(s):St. Luke's College-Haras Santa María

Student(s):Andreola, A.; Aquilini, C.; Arenaza, S.; Cabona, S.; Festa Console, C.; Figueroa Jalil, L.; Fuente, L.; Gabio Romeiro, F.; García Camporro, M.; Gonzalez, T.; Herdegen, S.; Herdener, N.; Lacaruso, J.; Lacouzzi, V.; Lurbe, O.; Marello, V.; Marmolejo, F.; Mata Cobas, F.; Miravé, F.; Odriozola, L.; Pastorino Menoyo, S.; Perez Ramirez, P.; Riera García, M.; Rousseaux, J.; Santana, Z.; Sardinas, M.; Turale, M.; Vera Lorenzo, B.; Vergara, A.; Bartrons

Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)

GLOBE Educator(s):María Inés Amato

Contributors:

Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report

Protocols:Precipitation, Surface Temperature, Wind, Biometry (including Tree Height), Green-Up / Green-Down, Land Cover Classification, Phenological Gardens

Presentation Poster: View Document

Language(s):English, Spanish

Date Submitted:02/23/2024

View Research Report

Summary St. Luke's College was founded in 2010 in Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is characterized by its green areas. The area has experienced growth in recent years, maintaining partial urbanization. Many green areas have been transformed into other types of land cover. Our work is focused on characterizing the tree coverage present in the vicinity of the school and the possible impacts of its changes over time. To achieve this objective, the following research questions were formulated: a) How did tree coverage change in the area of our school between 2010 and 2023? b) Was deforestation observed in the study area? c) How did the recent droughts, smoke, and fire outbreaks in the area influence tree coverage? d) How does NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) help detect changes in biomass production? The methodology applied to answer the questions involved fieldwork to assess tree biometrics using the GLOBE Observer App and desk work to obtain data on environmental variables influencing tree growth: temperature and precipitation from the METEOBLUE website. Additionally, satellite information from Global Forest Watch was used to evaluate tree coverage loss, NASA Firms and Worldview were used to analyze heat sources and smoke from fires. The results revealed that no deforestation occurred in the area for the construction of the school. The analysis of meteorological variables over time showed an increase in temperature and a decrease in precipitation in recent years. During the recent droughts, heat sources increased due to fires originating from the Paraná Delta area, which reached the area due to wind action. Keywords: Tree Height. Biometrics. Tree Circumference. GLOBE Observer App. Tree Coverage. NDVI.

Return to Student Research Report Listing