Geobotanical map of the Pinega State Nature Reserve

The Pinega State Nature Reserve is located in the European part of Russia, Arkhangelsk Region, in northern taiga subzone. The geobotanical studies were carried out on the territory of the reserve in 2007–2014. The classification of plant communities and the geobotanical map of the reserve were made. Ecologic-phytocoenotic classification (the Russian “dominant-determinant” approach) was conducted based on 618 relevés. The relevés were grouping into classes of associations on the basis of dominant bioecological groups, and within the classes of associations - into groups of associations by the prevailing ecologic-coenotic groups of plants. Associations were distinguished on the basis of phytocoenotic significance of species (species with the highest occurrence and abundance) within the groups of associations. The significance of syntaxa was verified by the method of discriminant analysis. 35 groups of associations and 71 associations were revealed in total. The geobotanical map was compiled using Landsat 8 satellite images for 2013 and 2014. 26 indices reflecting the productivity, saturation of the vegetation moisture and soil properties were calculated for each Landsat image. The morphometric characteristics of the relief were used as well. The obtained spatial database was classified by the method of step-by-step discriminant analysis (SDA) with using training sample. The training sample was created on the basis of field descriptions and forestry data. The verification of the map is based on the significance of the discriminant axes and the quality table for discriminant analysis. The article presents the principle stages of mapping using SDA. The vegetation map shows the different vegetation types over the territory of the Reserve.