Assessment of Modern Landscape Dynamics of the Zapolyarnoe Gas Field Using Satellite Data

About the authors:

Dmitrii V. Moskovchenko, Dr. Sci. (Geogr.), Head of the Geoecology Sector, Tyumen Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Lead Research Associate, Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), University of Tyumen; moskovchenko1965@gmail.com

Mikhail D. Moskovchenko, Undergraduate Student, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Tyumen; moskovchenkomd@yandex.ru

Abstract:

The article analyzes the dynamics of landscapes of the polar deposit located in the forest-tundra zone of Western Siberia. On the basis of data obtained by decoding Landsat satellite images, changes in various indicators (lake area, areas of man-caused disturbances, and areas of post-fire successions) were recorded. Using MODIS satellite data, the NDVI values in 2000-2016 were calculated. Using correlation analysis, the authors have evaluated the factors influencing the processes of landscape dynamics. They have recorded the increase in the area of lakes, which can be explained due to the increase in precipitation and filling of mineral soil quarries with water. There is no trend towards an increase in NDVI values, although there is a gradual increase in the positive temperatures. The lack of changes is due to periodic fires and technogenic disturbances, causing a decrease in NDVI, as in well as in the growth of thermokarst lakes. There is a shift of the vegetation period to later calendar dates: in May, there is a tendency to decrease, in September — to increase the NDVI values. On the territory of the field, the violations, which occurred during the exploration and preparation for the operation, prevail. In 1990-1998, 2.5% of the territory was violated in the subsequent period, after the start of industrial gas production — another 2%. Peat fires are an important factor in landscape dynamics. Post-fire recovery of lichen tundra vegetation continues at least 45 years. In the burned areas instead of the tundra and woodland with a predominance of lichens, new dwarf birch tundra and woodlands emerge with a predominance of mosses and dwarf shrubs.

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