Monitoring tree-shrub, and meadow vegetation in the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain using remote sensing methods (based on “Krasnyy buksir” range)

The article deals with the assessment of the state of tree-shrub and meadow vegetation by remote sensing methods. The author reveals the reasons of degradation and change of floristic richness of vegetation. These include: trampling of grass cover and forest floor (1), mechanical damage of trees (2), increasing the area of fire pits (3), and littering and contamination of the territory (4). In addition, mowing and grazing have a great influence. The development of the path network leads to changes in water-physical properties of the soil. Changes in the species composition of meadow vegetation indicate an increase in the processes of xerophytization and pasture digression. The article considers various methods of decoding forest plantations. Among them, the method of aerospace research is the most effective. This method makes it possible to assess the state of tree-shrub and meadow vegetation in dynamics and to carry out continuous monitoring. For a greater accuracy of the assessment, Earth remote sensing data are confirmed by on-site studies. Projective coverage has been used as a sign of degradation for the assessment. The level of preservation of plantings has been determined by the area of the canopy of the stand, that is the ratio of the canopy area to the entire area of the plantings. Under the area of the canopy a set of pixels that match the tone assigned to the canopy is understood. Using the methodology given in the article, the author has carried out the vegetation analysis at “Krasnyy Buksir” range. The area of land belonging to different environmental levels has been calculated for this purpose. The author draws the conclusion that the studied site is subject to a significant anthropogenic load and environmental protection measures are strongly necessary in this area.