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Land cover on Käsmu peninsula

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.



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