Analysis of forest cover dynamics in Belarus based on remote sensing data

Abstract

An analysis of the forest vegetation cover dynamics in Belarus based on the integration of satellite cartographic products and remote sensing data is presented in the article. Currently, the stable forest cover occupies 7209.0 thousand hectares (75.8 %); the forests formed on the previously non-forest lands – 1459.5 thousand hectares (14.7 %). The loss of forests amounted to 1569.3 thousand hectares for the period 1985–2020. For the period 2016–2020, the average annual deforestation area was 83.4 thousand ha/year, or 2.3 times higher than the average one for 1985–2015. The largest forest loss areas were in 2016–2018. Compared to the data of the National Statistical Committee for 2020, the difference with the actual area of the forest-covered land was 664.9 thousand hectares (7.4 % discrepancy). The area of the forested land according to the remote sensing data is 8999.3 thousand hectares, the forest cover is 43.3 %. The proposed approach to analyzing the forest vegetation changes based on remote sensing data is a high-quality and cost-effective information support for managerial decisions on the forest use.