The 4DEE (Four Dimensional Ecology Education) framework integrates ecological knowledge across four dimensions: fundamental concepts, cross-cutting themes, the human dimension, and skills and practices. Over a number of years, an urban ecology class assignment originally developed to examine environmental differences along a socioeconomic gradient has been expanded to consider how air quality, vegetation, ecosystem services and socioeconomic condition relate to one another. Students in my courses and lab have used this 4DEE approach in an urban ecology study of an area of Washington, DC undergoing major economic development and demographic change.
Particulate matter is well recognized as adversely affecting human health by causing respiratory irritation and chronic asthma. While often associated with dust inhalation by miners, high particulate matter concentrations in cities are increasingly problematic, particularly those resulting from exposure to vehicular traffic. Both volume and distance from the source are key issues—resulting in differences in air quality among neighborhoods. In NE and NW Washington DC, students collected data on particulate matter deposition and vehicular traffic to determine whether locations near commuter thoroughfares would show elevated levels of particulate matter. The major assumption throughout was that air quality was inversely related to particulate matter levels.
Results/Conclusions
We determined particulate loads by weekly counts, approximated traffic levels using District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) traffic volume maps and estimated tree cover through street surveys and satellite imagery. Socioeconomic status was assessed using housing value data from Zillow.com. We found particulate matter levels positively correlated with vehicular traffic flow and distance; streets closer to major thoroughfares exhibited higher counts. While air quality did not relate to tree density, it was better in areas containing larger, older trees. Historically, such neighborhoods were also socioeconomically more affluent. That relationship is changing as a result of recent replanting efforts, urban development, and gentrification.
One particular advantage to this class assignment has been student interest in using real world data to examine the relationship of ecology to the human condition. After learning basic concepts, students used their own observations about neighborhood differences to develop hypotheses and experimental designs. They then collected, analyzed and interpreted data to examine factors affecting socioeconomic condition. Thus, a seemingly straightforward class assignment can be developed to couple fundamental ecological knowledge with a variety of skills leading to an interdisciplinary understanding of the human environment.