Large-scale map of key area in forest-tundra zone on Kola Peninsula: methods of mapping and analysis of result

Large-scale vegetation mapping of key area of 1400 km2 in forest-tundra zone in the middle flow of Teriberkariver (Kola Peninsula) was conducted on the base of satellite images, topographic maps and field geobotanical investigations. Study of Landsat TM images local spectral characteristics and syntaxonomical analysis of vegetation demonstrated that satellite images with 30 m spatial resolution and 6-bands spectral resolution alone can't be used for automatical large-scale classification of forest-tundra zone vegetation. Map of vegetation in scale 1:50 000 resulted from manual processing of both hypsometry and spectral characteristic, on the base of field work points with description of vegetation. Legend of mapped units contains 2 types for tundra, 5 ones for mountain birch forest and 4 ones for wetlands. Quality and correctness of the map were verified by satellite image of extra high spatial resolution Quick Bird (0,65 m/pixel) and aerial photograph for this territory. The map illustrated that distribution of vegetation is primarily caused by unevenness of relief. Timberline lies at 220-240 m a.s.l., altitudinal distances across mountain birch forest and tundra zones are about 40-60 m, tundra vegetation occurs on moraine hills and bedrocks slopes and summits. Pounikkos flark-and-mounds, tuft-and-fen bog complexes occur from 170 to 240 m.s.l. in depressions and valleys. Proportion of tundra vegetation is about 40%, mountain birch forest – 30%, wetlands – 20%, lakes, rivers and springs take 10% of area investigated.