Large-scale mapping of terrestrial ecosystems condition after the impact of copper-nickel industry

DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-1-31-310-324

View or download the article (Rus)

About the Authors

Ekaterina D. Volokh

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: evolokh000@gmail.com

Natalia A. Alekseenko

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,

Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Department of Cartography and Remote Sensing of the Earth,
29s4, Staromonetny ln., Moscow, 119991, Russia,

E-mail: valtuz@mail.ru

Abstract

Large-scale mapping of terrestrial ecosystems in the suburbs of Nickel (Murmansk Region), subjected to long-term impact of copper-nickel production, was carried out. The study combined modern methods of remote sensing (using UAV) with traditional methods (field geobotanical descriptions). During the field work in 2023–2024 about 65 geobotanical descriptions with GPS-binding were performed, 10 orthophotomaps and digital relief models were created. The results of the work made it possible to identify a clear dependence of the distribution of vegetation on geomorphological conditions. Technogenic wastelands with a sandy-gravelly substrate with small number of plants (less than 15 %) prevail on large structural-denudation ridges. On ridges of smaller size and height, a greater variety of vegetation was noted (up to 90 % of projective coverage) with birch overgrowth and a pronounced shrub tier. In waterlogged depressions, shrubby forms of willow, sedge and horsetail in the grass layer dominate. Areas with a high projective coverage of liverwort (up to 80 %), which plays the role of a pioneer species mark succession processes. A classification has been developed, including 15 types of ecosystems considering the position in the relief, projective coverage of various types, morphometric parameters of vegetation. We created a series of thematic plans on a scale of 1:5 000 using QGIS with an easy to understand legend. The study showed that, despite the long-term industrial impact, the initial stages of successional processes are observed, especially in relief depressions close to streams and reservoirs. The results obtained are important for the development of remediation measures and monitoring of vegetation dynamics after the closure of the smelter in 2020.

Keywords

terrestrial ecosystems, large-scale mapping, UAV, industrial impact

References

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For citation: Volokh E.D., Alekseenko N.A. Large-scale mapping of terrestrial ecosystems condition after the impact of copper-nickel industry. InterCarto. InterGIS. Moscow: MSU, Faculty of Geography, 2025. V. 31. Part 1. P. 310–324. DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-1-31-310-324 (in Russian)