[IQP] Improvements in Environmental Strategy: An Investigation into Waste Accumulation in the Matías Hernández River Watershed in Panama

Sponsor: Marea Verde
Student Team: Grace Richards, Amber Lindberg, Brady Jeong, Mitra Tabandeh

Abstract: With Marea Verde Panama, this project established physical baseline data pertaining to waste accumulation in the Matías Hernandez River (MHR) watershed and identified potential reasons for this waste. Using ArcGIS, the team created classification maps revealing that the upper basin of the watershed has more densely packed buildings and less gallery forest around the river. Using the team’s instructions, resident volunteers took photos of waste deposits which the team used to create a garbage deposit map. Analyzing community leader survey responses revealed that the majority of the respondents had no contact with the river and are uninformed on recycling services. Based on the results, the team provided recommendations for potential improvements in Marea Verde’s environmental strategy.

Links: Final Report

This final report is available on the WPI eProjects 2.0 platform. Please click on the link above to learn more.