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Exploring the Relationship Between Land Cover Classifications and Urban Heat Island Intensity

Organization(s):Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) GLOBE v-School
Country:United States of America
Student(s):Hugo Butler, Omo Imode, Ryan Wolfram, Shreya Ganapathy
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Cassie Soeffing
Contributors:Dr. Russanne Low, SME, IGES. Peder Nelson, SME, OSU. Andrew Clark, SME, IGES. Dr. Erika Podest, SME, NASA JPL. Peer Mentors Aidan Schneider, James Ervin
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report, Mission Mosquito Report
Protocols:Air Temperature, Surface Temperature, Land Cover Classification, Earth As a System, Mosquitoes
Presentation Video: View Video
Presentation Poster: View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:01/18/2024
The urban heat island (UHI) effect refers to the phenomenon in which urban areas experience higher temperatures compared to their rural counterparts. This research aims to quantify and examine the UHI effect within three areas of interest (AOIs) by utilizing LANDSAT imagery. In addition, this study seeks to explore the relationship between land cover classifications, which represent the most green (rural) and the most urban areas, and the intensity of the UHI effect. To achieve this, temperature data from local weather stations are analyzed, and statistical methods are employed to determine whether a correlation exists between the difference in land cover classifications and the intensity of the UHI effect, as determined by the average temperature difference between urban and rural areas. Google Earth Engine is used to visualize LANDSAT data from 2013 to 2022 in the months of July and August for each AOI. Subsequently, the data is compared with the land cover classifications from Collect Earth Online using statistical models in Microsoft Excel. These tools were used to take data from three pre-selected areas of interest in GLOBE Observer. The data findings from this analysis suggest that the more tree cover and rural an area is according to our classification method, the lower the UHI intensity. On the other hand, the higher the urban area, the higher the UHI intensity. By beginning this research, we have reinforced the validity of land cover classifications, and we now have the capability to generally predict the UHI intensity of locations based on their classifications. Overall, this investigation aims to contribute to a better understanding of the GLOBE land cover classifications and their potential indications of UHI intensity. Keywords : urban heat island (UHI), area of interest (AOI), UHI intensity, LANDSAT imagery, land cover classifications


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