1. Ecologo-climatic model and its using for vegetation mapping in Jakutia
- Author
-
E. I. Troeva and M. M. Cherosov
- Subjects
medicine ,Environmental science ,Physical geography ,medicine.symptom ,Vegetation (pathology) - Abstract
Information and computer technologies of recent decades provide new approaches that allow to create maps of better quality and precise characteristics. Based on the statement that distribution patterns of vegetation cover in a given region are closely related to a certain set of ecological factors, we have tasked to analyze the accuracy of map contours by means of GIS. The study consisted in correlation of raster maps of ecological-climatic factors with the map of vegetation cover. The raster map of relief was used as supplemental as well. In this stage of the study, we analyzed the accuracy of contours depicting the distribution of the following subzones: lowlands of the arctic tundra, subarctic tundra, foresttundra, northern and middle taiga. Empirical selection of ecological-climatic factors has shown that the following factors have the most pronounced effect on distribution of vegetation cover of Yakutia: average temperatures of January and July, the sum of positive temperatures above 10 °C. Mathematic correlation of raster maps of the given factors with the vegetation map yielded ranges of temperature and elevation values that were most characteristic for each subzone. Having calculated derived values using map algebra, we simulated the spatial distribution of subzonal vegetation. Overlaying the vector map of vegetation of Yakutia has proved accurate subzone distribution in the model. This means that the abovementioned statistical samplings of temperature indices can be used for climatic characterization of each vegetation subzone. However, the model shows regions requiring special attention. They are represented by white, uncoloured patches between or within certain subzones. Analysis results of such uncharted areas state that they are characterized by a complex of temperature factors being non-typical for a given subzone. And revision of contour boundaries in these areas or vegetation types they represent is required using satellite imagery and literature data.
- Published
- 2013