I am working on an honors thesis that investigates the relationship between urbanization and the health of riparian zones in Colorado Springs, with a focus on their impacts on soil health and tree canopy coverage. By examining different phases of urbanization, the study integrates satellite imagery and drone data to analyze changes in tree canopy, riparian vegetation, and the surrounding urban environment. Geovisualization techniques and quantitative data analysis are used to explore how urban expansion influences ecological conditions and biodiversity in these critical areas.Â
High-resolution drone imagery was collected and mosaicked to create detailed visual datasets of the riparian zones. This imagery provides a fine-scale view of vegetation patterns and urban encroachment, supplementing satellite data with more localized and precise observations. The drone data serves as a key tool for mapping vegetation health, identifying habitat features, and supporting detailed analyses of ecological variables in urbanized and non-urbanized riparian zones. These insights contribute to a comprehensive understanding of how urbanization impacts ecological systems and informs strategies for urban planning and conservation.
Conducted Fall Semester, 2024