Estimate of Peatland Distribution in Estonia Using an Integrated GIS/RS Approach

Determination of the spatial extent of peatland is important for the evaluation of soil carbon stocks. At European Level there is a need to provide accurate and updated estimate of the distribution of peatland. Comparison of national data with EU wide land cover mapping shows that there is limited compatibility between the different data sets. The aim of the present study is to test a methodology of standardized mapping and monitoring of peatlands at regional level (national to supra-national bio-climatic regions) based on the enhanced integration of existing thematic maps through GIS analysis in combination with remote sensing, using Estonia as study case. Existing national maps and field inventory of Estonian peatlands have been used for a GIS based evaluation of peatland relevant information contained in Corine Land Cover. Remote sensing has been employed in 2 ways: a multispectral approach using Landsat TM and a phenology oriented time series analysis of SPOT VEGETATION NDVI both implemented for the entire territory of Estonia. The remote sensing results are evaluated against the existing high resolution Estonian map of peatlands. In the case study it could be shown that peatlands are both spectrally and phenologically clearly distinct from other land cover types and therefore have a good potential to allow semiautomated mapping over large areas with relatively high accuracy, which lays the basis for efficient montoring and mapping of peatland change.