This project aims for students to develop and apply geospatial analysis skills to the context of climate change, focusing on wildfire data. The objective is to acquire, process, and analyze climate data related to wildfires to identify trends, risks, and potential preventive measures. By the end of the project, students will have learned how to manage and analyze large datasets, use geospatial tools for mapping and data visualization, and apply their findings to real-world scenarios, showcasing their ability to contribute effectively to climate change mitigation and disaster response efforts.

Data Acquisition and Preprocessing

• Objective: Identify and gather relevant climate and wildfire datasets from various sources.
• Deliverable: A report documenting the data sources, acquisition process, and any preprocessing steps taken. Include a dataset ready for analysis.
• Filename for Deliverable: Climate_Wildfire_Data_Report.pdf and Preprocessed_Dataset.csv

Geospatial Mapping of Wildfire Data

• Objective: Create geospatial maps to visualize wildfire occurrences and affected areas over a specified timeframe.
• Deliverable: A set of maps displaying wildfire data, with annotations on significant findings. Include a brief report explaining the mapping techniques and tools used.
• Filename for Deliverable: Wildfire_Maps.zip and Mapping_Techniques_Report.pdf

Data Analysis and Trend Identification

• Objective: Analyze the preprocessed dataset to identify trends, patterns, and correlations between climate factors and wildfire occurrences.
• Deliverable: A detailed analysis report with findings, including graphs and charts to support the analysis. Use GIS software for spatial analysis.
• Filename for Deliverable: Wildfire_Climate_Analysis_Report.pdf

Students will be supported through mentorship from experienced geospatial analysts, access to geospatial analysis tools (such as ArcGIS or QGIS), and training workshops on data acquisition techniques, geospatial mapping, and data analysis. Additionally, regular check-ins will be scheduled to monitor progress, address challenges, and provide feedback.