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Online Content for Experiential Learning of Tropical Systems

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Vegetation Greening: A Snapshot from the Andean Tropics

Author(s): Xavier Haro-Carrión1, Bryson Berry1, Lucas Eggers1

Macalester College

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Gala Module

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Summary:
This online module explores how satellite images are used to study vegetation greenness and, using Ecuador as an example, demonstrates how tropical vegetation experienced increased greenness between 1982 and 2010.

Licensed under CC Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International according to these terms

Version 2.0 - published on 23 Jul 2023 doi:10.25334/SB83-7V19 - cite this

Keywords

  1. remote sensing
  2. Time Series Analysis
  3. Earth Observation
  4. Earth and Space Sciences
  5. geography
  6. GIMMS NDVI
  7. greening and browning
  8. tropical Andes

Alignments

  1. Resource Type
  2. Courses
  3. Course Level
  4. Bloom's Cognitive Level
  5. Vision and Change Core Competencies
  6. Vision and Change Core Concepts
  7. Four Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) Framework
  8. Class Type
  9. Class Size
  10. Audience
  11. Lesson Length
  12. Key Scientific Process Skills
  13. Pedagogical Approaches
  14. Principles of How People Learn
  15. Assessment Type
Contents:
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Description

This open-access module provides a comprehensive explanation of how satellite images can be effectively utilized to analyze vegetation greening. Using Ecuador as a specific example, the module delves into the changing vegetation patterns in the tropical Andes in response to climate changes. Key concepts and processes are presented through captioned videos, beginning with essential remote sensing principles. The module builds upon research conducted by Haro-Carrión and collaborators, which evaluated the regional variations in vegetation greenness between 1982 and 2010 in continental Ecuador. To promote engagement, most videos conclude with discussion questions that encourage individual or collective exploration of the material covered and its real-world applications. Additionally, the module incorporates an interactive section that invites students to employ a vegetation index to examine changes in vegetation greenness within a location of their choice. A Q&A section is also included. The research underscores the significance of sub-regional studies in comprehending the phenomenon of tropical vegetation greening and its underlying factors. 

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the use of satellite image data to evaluate changes in vegetation greenness.
  • Compare spatial and temporal vegetation greening patterns across major regions and in relationship to rainfall in Ecuador.
  • Explore the potential ecological ramifications of long-term changes in vegetation greenness in the tropical Andes region and beyond.

Support was provided by: A grant from the United States National Science Foundation (DBI-RCN-UBE 2120141).

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