Multispectral satellite based monitoring of land cover change and associated fire reduction after large-scale peatland rewetting following the 2010 peat fires in Moscow Region (Russia)

Land cover changes following rewetting of 73 thousand hectares of peatland after the severe 2010 peat fires in Moscow Region (Russia) were monitored using multispectral remote sensing. The results revealed a reduction in the area of bare peat and dry grasslands, the rapid expansion of willow and birch vegetation, and a steady increase in wet grasslands and open water. Both the number and area of peat fires were clearly reduced compared to all wildfires in the region. Monitoring large areas over longer periods generally implies using different satellites and sensors. The developed methodology enabled assessing the effectiveness of rewetting to reduce fire hazard as well as identifying areas that remain fire-prone and require additional restoration effort. The methodology proved to be robust for the long-term monitoring of the effect of rewetting large areas of peatlands, as required under the Paris Agreement.