CCES@School: Plant observations with a phenological camera

Context

The Competence Center Environment and Sustainability (CCES) of ETH Zurich started an educational initiative in 2010 under the name "CCES@School – Teaching Materials for Secondary Schools". Our project was one of the seven projects supported in the first call.

Aim

Digital imagery has rapidly spread in the scientific community in all kinds of applications. Phenological observations profited from the support of images that were taken with a time lapse camera. In particular, the determination of the spring leaf flush in forests can be quite accurately detected via the green fraction computed from image data. Our project aim was to simplify the whole procedure in such a way that affordable off-the-shelf cameras and easy-to use software allow for applications at the level of the secondary school.

Expected Value

Material boxes that can be loaned by teachers for class work and educational material to provide suggestions and guidance for the work with phenological cameras.