Large-scale Landscape Mapping for Environmental Risk Assessment in the Arctic of Western Siberia (Russia)

Abstract

Landscape mapping is widely used for the implementation of oil and gas development projects in the Russian Arctic, in particular for environmental impact and risk assessment. Large-scale landscape maps (1:25,000 – 1:100,000) have already been developed within these types of studies for the Yamal project and Tambey group of fields, and for fields in the southern Gydan Peninsula and Nadym-Pur-Taz interfluve. In this study, methods of large-scale inventory landscape mapping were developed and evaluation and advisory maps were generated. Modern research and mapping methods were applied in the preparation of a landscape map of Bely Island (in the Kara Sea). The final data processing included the correction of the planimetric part of the landscape map, and adding information about terrain types and types of landscape units to the database. The configuration of the map was complemented by images and data about areas of the main map units. The morphometric analysis of the research areas was carried out using ALOS World 3D and AsterDEM in the program SAGA.