Measuring Vegetation Health
Before modern detection technologies were available, canaries were often used in coal mines to detect the presence of poisonous carbon monoxide gas.
Plants are like "green canaries” — if they die, then other organisms will likely follow. By measuring the health of plants, we are measuring the environmental conditions that affect all nearby organisms, including humans.
Today’s technologies, including satellite and digital images, let us monitor plant health using the proportions of light reflected from leaves. Combining this data with our understanding and observations of plant behavior and physiology helps us to quickly assess the quality of the local environment.
Measuring Vegetation Health brings together biology, physics, chemistry, technology, art, engineering, and math in a project that predominantly supports field studies for middle to high school and self-guided education in environmental science. Many tools such as free software and ideas for activities and student challenge questions are provided on the project Web site. These resources can be used as stand-alone learning activities, as semester or yearlong curriculum, or as activities and exhibit components for use by museums, science centers, arboretums and botanical gardens.
The project is a collaboration by: Boston Museum of Science, Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, University of New Hampshire, Indiana State University, Blue Hill Observatory, and University of Southern Maine.
CONTACT: Brian Rogan, Program Manager, Earth-Space Education, Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston, MA 02114-1099, Phone: 617-589-4252, Fax: 617-589-4448, Email: brogan@mos.org.