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Developing a framework for using Earth Observation imagery to monitor peatland condition 2020

Abstract

Peatland restoration is a significant target of a number of key policy areas within the UK. Developing cost-effective methods for monitoring key indicators of peatland condition (such as vegetation cover of Sphagnum mosses, areas of bare unvegetated peat, soil depth, and drainage) can help to inform the targeting of restoration strategies and establish whether efforts are successful in promoting recovery.

This report investigates the use of Earth observation data for monitoring peatland condition through exploring whether the amount of bare peat cover can be detected in an automated process from very high-resolution imagery (aerial and satellite), and how this can then be scaled up to lower-resolution satellite imagery covering a wider extent. The report outlines a framework for mapping bare peat, which includes ways of determining the amount of imagery required to inform models and the best modelling approach for accurate predictions of bare peat cover using machine learning algorithms.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2020·10·20

Citation
Trippier, B., Robinson, P., Colson, D. & Hutchison, J. 2020. Developing a framework for using Earth Observation imagery to monitor peatland condition. JNCC Report No. 667, JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This study aimed to investigate methods of monitoring peatland habitat condition, building on previous studies using EO data and high-resolution aerial photography.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2020·10·23

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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