Assessment of Afforestation Dynamics over Russian Peat Bogs Using Satellite Monitoring Data

A significant contribution to the absorption of carbon dioxide is made by forest trees and other woody vegetation growing on peatlands. The results of observations indicate the processes of afforestation of open peat bogs in different regions of Russia. A systematic study of these processes for all of Russia was based on satellite monitoring data for the period of the years 2001–2022. It was estimated that the area of open peat bogs annually identified over the country varies in the range of 123.1–129.6 million hectares. At the same time, the dynamics of their area is characterized by a downward trend at about 220 000 hectares per year, and in the period of the years 2011–2022, the magnitude of this negative trend reached 404 000 hectares per year. The area of peat bogs covered with forests and sparse trees increased during this period by 8.24 million hectares, and its average annual increase was estimated at about 377 000 hectares per year.