MAPPING OF ARCTIC LANDSCAPES USING MULTI-TEMPORAL SENTINEL-1 IMAGERY: A CASE STUDY OF KOTELNY ISLAND

Radar data is of primary importance for Arctic regions study and mapping. Kotelny Island was selected as an area of interest due to well-defined landscapes diversity and abundance of Sentinel-1 radar data. The study based on multi-temporal and multi-polarization images acquired by Sentinel-1A at a period from October 2015 to September 2016. The ways of modified radar images creation are proposed, which aimed at their adaptation for visual and automated interpretation. The main factors influencing the backscatter values and its dynamics are revealed based on additional data sources. The main result of the research is a map of natural landscapes of Kotelny Island at a scale 1:750 000. Spatial and temporal variations of backscattering coefficient allowed semi-automatic delineating the boundaries of landscapes which are characterized by different combination of the relief, vegetation and soils. Table legend of the map contains information both on landscapes features and respective annual backscatter behavior.