Retrospective Analysis of the Spectral Properties of a Bog Changed by Road Construction

Peatland ecosystems ecosystems in mineral extraction areas experience anthropogenic impacts because of the construction of seismic survey lines, power lines, temporary and permanent roads, as well as pipelines. Accurately assessing the impact of construction projects such as roads on ecosystems can provide scientific basis for ecosystem protection. The assessment of the impact of roads on moisture and vegetation properties could be based on information about these properties before and after construction. This study proposes an algorithm for delineating the road influence zone on a bog by analyzing retrospective changes in spectral properties before and after road construction. Using archival Landsat images (2000–2021), we quantified statistically significant changes in spectral indices (NDWI, NDMI, MNDWI, GVMI, EVI, and CVI) around a road built in 2007 on an oligotrophic bog in Western Siberia. It was found that over the time interval from 2007 to 2021, the MNDWI index significantly decreased by 125% on a specific area of 96,280 m² km⁻¹. Statistically significant increases in the spectral indices NDWI, NDMI, GVMI, EVI, and CVI were observed only sporadically (in space). The results presented will serve as the basis for calculating changes in the specific emissions of CO₂ and CH₄ in the studied area. In addition, the obtained data can be used for a preliminary assessment of the area and magnitude of possible changes in the properties of the wetlands before the construction of permanent and temporary roads and can also be scaled to a larger area.