Student Research Reports

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Parks are a significant addition to urban areas for their recreational use and as places where families can gather to enjoy the outdoors. This research focused on examining the relationship between tree height, tree circumference, and their relationship to surface temperature. An iPhone with the GLOBE Observer Trees App was used to measure tree height and a DBH (diameter breast height) measuring tape allowed tree circumference to be determined. A digital infrared thermometer and a GLOBE AREN TerraROVER were used to determine surface temperatures at two suburban parks in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Ten trees per park were measured and the highest and lowest surface temperatures were determined. Temperature data was collected in July and October. The TerraROVER 2 was used at both parks to determine GPS, surface temperature, and air temperature. All of our data suggests a clear relationship between tree height/circumference and surface temperatures. There were significantly lower surface temperatures in areas under largely shaded trees as compared to areas where there was no shade or tree coverage. To increase the quality of use in parks during the summer, it is essential to decrease surface temperatures to create ambient air temperatures that people want to be outside in.