URCAD Sneak Peek: Paige Fullerton, Aveline Phillips, Brian Hughes, Neil Taylor, Sarah Armstrong, Cheyenne Nickerson

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 21:05:18 -0400

Ready to see some research that is really taking off?

Check out GES 286's weather balloons in the UC Ballroom at URCAD on April 16th!

Assessing Campus Vegetation From Above

Presenters: Paige Fullerton, Brian Hughes, Neil Taylor, Sarah Armstrong, Cheyenne Nickerson

Mentor: Charlie Kaylor, Geography and Environmental Systems

1-2pm

UC Ballroom

Abstract

This presentation will present the method and findings from an ongoing effort by the GES 286 course to gauge the health of campus vegetation. Students collect data necessary to derive the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) by sending tethered weather balloons with a payload of two cameras (one color; the other, infrared) 450 feet above campus to observe vegetation at different locations on the UMBC campus. Results are then georeferenced using Geographic Information Systems to generate the NDVI using “map algebra”. This approach is analogous to imaging techniques used for research and policy purposes, introducing students to the data models and techniques used in remote sensing generally. Ultimately, by imaging repeatedly, we can observe how the overall health of campus vegetation changes seasonally and over time.

For more info on the ongoing research project, see the UMBC News story at: