Student Research Reports
Land cover on Käsmu peninsula
Organization(s):Estonian Learning Expedition
Country:Estonia
Student(s):Lauri Pehlak, Eliise Juur, Jelizaveta Štšura, Natalie Svobodova, Eliska Drackova,
Rosmarii Ilp, Anette Einmann, Kätrin Kaunimäe, Mattias Ilp
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Citizen Scientist
Contributors:Imbi Henno (GLOBE trainer)
Johanna Raudsepp
Laura Altin
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Biometry (including Tree Height), Land Cover Classification
Presentation Poster:
View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:03/09/2023
Due to the fact that satellite images, which are one of the tools used to study ground cover,
provide information about the color and location of vegetation but cannot give exact data
on the type of vegetation and habitat, it is necessary to take these measurements manually
in the field. The aim of our study was to observe the influence of the distance to the sea on
the ground vegetation and tree canopy cover and differences between the dimensions of
trees, as well as the abundance of rare plants. We observed and collected data from two
different research areas in Käsmu, Lääne-Viru country, in Northern Estonia - in the forest
“near the sea” (Area 1) and in a “boulder field” (Area 2). Land cover data was gathered on
August 3, 2022. Measurements were taken using different easily accessible instruments,
including the GLOBE land cover measuring software. Our group compared two squares of
land 30 by 30 meters in size in both research areas. In these research areas, we proceeded
to take different measurements like canopy cover measurements, tree height and
circumference measurements, the MUC code of the area and other necessary data. We
found that the “boulder field” (Area 2) which is further from the sea had more dense
canopy cover and only evergreen trees, while in the forest “near the sea” (Area 1) the trees
were higher and thicker, the canopy cover was less dense and the deciduous trees were
prominent. We identified only one rare plant (polypodium vulgare), meaning we do not
have enough data to map the correlation between the abundance of rare plants and the
distance from the sea. The data we obtained as a result of our research can be used in future
expeditions for comparison purposes.
Keywords: land cover, satellite imaging, forest, sea, Käsmu.