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Determining mangrove ecosystem health by comparing field and satellite data
Organization(s):Colegio Montessori de Cartagena
Country:Colombia
Student(s):Montserrat Maciá (5th)
Avril Maza (5th)
Emma Sands (5th)
Grade Level:Upper Primary (grades 3-5, ages 8-11)
GLOBE Member(s):Juan Felipe Restrepo Mesa
Contributors:Fundación Bahía y Ecosistemas de Colombia: Diana de la Vega, Directora Ejecutiva
Fundación Serena del Mar: Isabel Mathiew, Directora Ejecutiva
Empresa Asociativa de Ecoturismo Los Arriberos: Alejandro Valiente, Presidente
Universidad de Bellas Artes: Profesora Teresa Perdomo - Docente
Report Type(s):Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Clouds, Air Temperature, Land Cover Classification, Alkalinity, Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrates, pH, Salinity, Water Temperature, Water Transparency, Earth As a System
Presentation Poster:
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-01-27
Mangrove ecosystems are important coastal environments because they protect shorelines, support many living organisms, and help keep water and air clean. However, mangrove health can change depending on environmental conditions and human activities. The purpose of this project is to compare the health of mangrove ecosystems in different locations.
To do this, we will collect field data using GLOBE protocols, such as cloud observations, air temperature, water temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, alkalinity, and water transparency. We will also use non-GLOBE observations, including vegetation observations, bird counts, and general ecosystem conditions. In addition, we will use satellite images to study vegetation cover using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).
By combining field measurements, satellite data, and ancestral knowledge shared by community members, we will compare different mangrove sites and identify similarities and differences in their ecosystem health. This project will help us understand how environmental factors influence mangrove ecosystems and why mangrove conservation is important.
Keywords: mangrove ecosystems, birds, bioindicators, water quality, ancestral knowledge, GLOBE protocols