Interactive Visualization of the Impacts of Climate/Land Use Change and Response Measures using Augmented Reality

Abstract

This dissertation is a pilot study of the use of augmented reality (AR) to provide interactive climate services to non-scientists, thereby allowing for a whole new class of users to participate in climate action as well as assess climate impacts of different scenarios and trade-offs between various response measures. Through two case studies, we seek to demonstrate that AR is an effective technology to help users understand concepts that were previously shrouded under a veil of scientific intricacy.

The first case study was about the co-development of an AR-based mobile application allowing for an easy measurement of the carbon stored in a tree. First, we developed a novel method for estimating tree carbon sequestration by integrating smartphone Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), photogrammetry and computer vision technologies with on-device processing. This method was validated against conventional forestry tools, and was found to have a high correlation for both tree diameter and height measurements, resulting in only a minimal deviation from the carbon sequestration measured using conventional methods. An application using this methodology combined with everyday life comparisons for the carbon sequestration figures was tested with users through two iterations, and was found to have high usability and improve the users’ reported understanding of the concepts.

The second case study implemented and evaluated a table-top AR agricultural planning tool for small-scale producers in Novo Progresso, Pará, Brazil, a region facing significant climate related challenges at the Amazon agricultural frontier. The tool allowed the producers to see the climate impacts and a potential of different adaptation strategies for their specific plot of land. The tool worked by combining user input about their field and management strategies employed with results of EPIC model runs and public information about the location, size and shape of plots. The case study demonstrated that AR can be effective in data-scarce environments, especially when using approaches that combine local knowledge with available climate data.

When viewed together, the results of these case studies validated AR’s viability across multiple dimensions: as a data collection tool, as an interface for complex climate models and as a decision support system for domain experts. The results also demonstrate AR’s versatility in working with a range of data availability situations, enabling direct data collection through measurement when possible or facilitation of user data input. AR's adaptability as a medium for climate services is demonstrated through the successful implementation across different contexts, from urban environments to rural agricultural settings.

The findings suggest that AR technology can play a crucial role in democratizing access to climate information and supporting evidence-based environmental decision-making across different sectors of society. AR represents a viable and versatile medium for climate service delivery, capable of helping address key challenges in making climate information accessible and actionable for diverse user groups. These findings have significant implications for the future development of climate services and the broader field of climate change communication and adaptation planning.