Written by Anne-Lucie Pierre, Undergraduate student at The University of Massachusetts Amherst
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work as an intern with the Karin Burghardt Lab in College Park, Maryland. My work centered around the city of Baltimore as we analyzed street trees located in different neighborhoods. Neighborhoods in the city of Baltimore follow specific classification criteria as communities with higher populations of minorities were often redlined. Unfortunately, this discrimination can result in the lack of access to environmental benefits such as healthy trees. Assessing tree health in a variety of neighborhoods would help to highlight the effects of environmental discrimination.
Mapping Baltimore’s Trees
While I usually rely on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create maps, this internship challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and use R, a programming language, to map and analyze spatial data. Using R, I was able to dive deep into the world of data analysis and visualization. Mapping was a crucial tool in the research process as it allowed the team to visualize raw data.
Fig 1. Map depicting sampled Norway (green markers) and Red (orange markers) Maple trees throughout the city of Baltimore.
Assessing Tree Health
In addition to mapping, a significant portion of my internship involved assessing the health of trees. This meant getting up close and personal with Baltimore’s urban trees. I measured tree dimensions (DBH, height, etc.), conducted photosynthesis measurements, and scanned trees for signs of pests and diseases. A key threat I looked for was the infamous Spotted Lantern Fly.
Through these assessments, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges urban trees face and the importance of monitoring tree health. This hands-on experience not only taught me the technical skills needed to evaluate tree health but also strengthened my understanding of management in urban ecosystems.
Fig 2. Kelsey and Anne measuring DBH on a street tree in Baltimore.
The Bigger Picture
My internship in Baltimore wasn’t just a learning experience––it was a chance to make a tangible impact on the city’s urban trees. Being able to collaborate with the team at the Burghardt Lab was an amazing experience that will forever play a huge role in all my future endeavors. From mapping points to performing health assessments, I enjoyed every bit of it. This experience has deepened my passion, furthering my excitement to continue exploring how technology can be harnessed to protect our natural resources. Thank you all!
Fig. 3 This southern red oak (Quercus falcata) was one of our more substantial tree finds along the streets of Baltimore during sampling.