Study of land cover using satellite data

This study presents the analysis of land cover in the Desna River basin using satellite data from Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 based on the open-access ESA WorldCover dataset for 2020–2021. The research focuses on spatial distribution and classification of land cover types within the Ukrainian part of the river Desna basin, utilizing remote sensing and GIS tools to process and interpret the data. Boundaries of the River Desna basin were defined using shapefiles provided by the World Bank, followed by geospatial processing to isolate the relevant Ukrainian territory. The processed data, formatted as GeoTIFF raster layers, were compiled into a virtual mosaic and clipped according to the Desna basin boundary to generate the comprehensive land cover map. The results indicate that arable lands dominate the area, accounting for approximately 45% of the territory. Forests occupy about 34%, while meadows, hayfields, and pastures represent nearly 19 %. Other land cover types, such as wetlands and artificial surfaces, are present in smaller proportions. The comparative assessment of data from 2020 and 2021 revealed no significant structural changes in land cover during the observed period, supporting the hypothesis of short-term land use stability.This study highlights the importance of high-resolution satellite data for monitoring and evaluating land use patterns and ecosystem dynamics, especially in transboundary river basins. The integration of optical (Sentinel-2) and radar (Sentinel-1) data enhances classification accuracy and allows for comprehensive environmental assessment. The use of the ESA World-Cover dataset, based on the UN-LCCS classification system, ensures consistency and comparability of results across regions and timeframes. The findings may support sustainable land management, environmental planning, and policy-making at re-gional and national levels.Geoinformation modeling of the land cover is a powerful tool for identifying and forecasting changes in natural ecosystems. This study provides important scientific foundations for land resource management and the sustainable development of the Desna River basin. The use of geographic information systems and land cover models enables informed decision-making aimed at pre-serving biodiversity, mitigating anthropogenic impacts, and fostering a sustainable ecological balance in the region.