Mapping peat erosion from space

Environment Systems have delivered an evaluation of satellite earth observation as a cost-effective method of assessing the extent and severity of erosion in the upland organic soils of Scotland.  The project was commissioned by the BNSC (British National Space Centre) and the Scottish Government under the GIFTSS programme (Government Information from the Space Sector).

One part of the project involved a week long fieldwork exercise in an area of the Monadhliath Mountains in the Scottish Highlands.  The fieldwork took place between 1-5^th of June 2009 focusing on an upland area 319 km² in size located east of Fort Augustus. Luckily for the fieldwork team, consisting of Steve Keyworth, Katie Medcalf and Mark Jarman, the Glendoe hydroscheme was in the final stages of construction allowing us easy access onto the plateau. Had it not been for this access route, a good day’s walk just to get to the site would have been required.

The fieldwork itself involved the assessment of a classification produced during the initial phase of the project. This classification was generated through combining satellite imagery with aerial photography within an object oriented rule-base classification approach. The week allowed the team to gain vital understanding in the landscape and ecology of the area, knowledge which was vital in enabling us to improve the classification and produce the final classification map and associated erosion risk map.

The final report and associated classification results can be seen at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/06110108/0