Student Research Reports
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Assessing the Effects of Surface Temperature and Tree Coverage in Select Suburban Parks
Organization(s):Crestwood High School
Country:United States of America
Student(s):Yasmina Abbas, Marwa Aidibi, Zainab Zaidan
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Teacher:Diana Rae Johns
Contributors:Mr. David Bydlowski and Mr. Andy Henry of the NASA AREN Program
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Air Temperature, Surface Temperature
Presentation Poster:
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Optional Badges:I am a Data Scientist, I make an Impact, I work with a STEM Professional
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:03/11/2022
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.