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NATURALISTIC WALK IN THE FOREST OF DIFESA GRANDE

Ecosystem monitoring from remote systems and field validation

Il scientific trekking took place on Thursday 4 May 2023 from 9:30 to 13:30 on a circular route of about 4 km in the Bosco Defense Large, starting with its picnic area. The participation was numerous, of approx 40 participants, including teachers and pupils of classes 3I and 2B of the Secondary school of the Carelli-Forlani institute in Conversano (BA). The walk was very pleasant, also thanks to the optimal weather conditions and despite the heavy ground due to the rains of the previous days.
Initially, they were accomplished CO2 measurements with the field instrumentation available (accumulation chamber), providing participants with a Description simplified of the photosynthesis and plant respiration, i.e. the two main processes that regulate the gaseous exchanges between the grass and the atmosphere. At various points along the way, the activities of the researchers were described Earth Observation group IIA-CNR of Bari, including – for example – the mapping of burnt areas, And temporarily flooded areas, and also there type of satellite data used (optical and SAR) and related developed products. Some of these products, such as maps of LCLU (Land Cover Land Use), were shown to participants with app (Qfield) installed on smartphones and tablets. The PlantNet and iNaturalist apps for the recognition of species have been shown as examples of application ofArtificial intelligence (in particular, Deep Learning). These identification apps were used by the participants for the recognition of the flora and insects present in the field. Particular interest aroused the 4 different species of orchids encountered. It was not possible to recognize the tadpoles present in the puddles, despite the great enthusiasm of the boys! During the walk some ecosystems, such as the semi-natural prairie and the oak forest, were recognized and described with particular reference to their importance and also their vulnerability (due to various pressure and threat factors).

ORGANIZATION:

Bari Earth Observation Group, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution of the National Research Council (IIA-CNR), c/o Interuniversity Department of Physics, University of Bari, Via Amendola 173, 70126 Bari.

INFO:

Fabio M. Rana, IIA researcher, +393804114171, fabiomichele.rana@iia.cnr.it
Saverio Vicario, IIA researcher, +393387407518, saverio.vicario@iia.cnr.it