Utilizing Ground Level Remote Sensing to Monitor Peatland Disturbance

Abstract

This study examined the usefulness of remote sensing to monitor peatlands, and more specifically Sphagnum moss ‘health’. Results from this study show that thermal imaging can be used to monitor Sphagnum productivity, as when the surface temperature of Sphagnum exceeds a threshold value (30.8 °C in the field and 18.2 °C in the laboratory), Sphagnum quickly changes from being productive to being unproductive. The Enhanced Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (ENDVI) can also be used in a similar manner, where if the ENDVI value is high (above 0.11 in the field and -0.12 in the laboratory), Sphagnum will be productive, and otherwise, it will be stressed. A classification scheme was developed to monitor peatland recovery to fire disturbance. By utilizing the ENDVI, leaf area index and aboveground biomass within a recovering peatland can be mapped, as well as the recovery trajectory of the groundcover. The findings of this study highlight the potential use of remote sensing to assess the driving factors of Sphagnum moss stress, as well as quickly and expansively aid in peatland recovery trajectory.