Monitoring Earth Systems

Students can monitor a variety of earth systems, using data they collect themselves from sites near campus, using air photos and remotely sensed images taken over a period of years or by participating remotely in a variety of different science projects. In addition to examples included in the modules on indoor labs and field labs, several other Starting Point modules have useful suggestions that can be applied to setting up monitoring schemes near campus. These modules and pages include those on: campus-based learning, field labs on campus, service-learning in geosciences, and Experience-based Environmental Projects.

Monitoring of local water, air, soil and biosphere properties requires specialized equipment. This page from the Field Labs collection describes some of the resources available for water quality equipment and monitoring. Other common elements of a site-based environmental monitoring program include weather stations and stream gages and other equipment.