Assessment of the current state of peat deposits of Brest, Gomel and Mogilev regions of Belarus based on the analysis of satellite images

Based on the analysis of satellite images of high and ultra-high resolution of the territories of peat deposits of Brest, Gomel and Mogilev regions of the Republic of Belarus, a database of areas of peat deposits that are in an undisturbed state (natural peat wire); disturbed state (areas with the presence of reclamation systems covered with shrub vegetation); drained areas with forest vegetation; drained areas that are effectively used in agriculture; developed areas. The database created in the GIS format made it possible to estimate the remaining peat reserves for each of the deposits, to obtain statistical data on the state and directions of use of the areas of peat deposits. The estimation of the remaining reserves took into account the loss of peat from the depleted areas and the mineralization of organic matter at sites used in agriculture.

In total, explored peat deposits with an area of more than 10 hectares in Brest region – 469, in Gomel region – 1290 and in Mogilev region – 1385, the total area of which is 498.9, 530.8 and 221.0 thousand hectares respectively. According to the methodology used in the calculations, the remaining geological reserves of peat are: in Brest region – 772.3 million tons, in Gomel region – 798.5 million tons and in Mogilev region – 267.4 million tons.

Analysis of satellite images of the territories of peat deposits of the studied areas showed that from 30 to 37 % of the areas of peat deposits are in an undisturbed state (natural peat swamps). The main part (more than 50 %) in Brest and Gomel regions is a drained land with peat soils of agricultural use, in Mogilev – about 30 %. In all three regions there are 141 deposits with depleted peat reserves and 1457 deposits (46 % of the total) with geological reserves of less than 40 thousand tons (reserves that are not of interest for integrated peat processing).

1. Strategy for the conservation and rational (sustainable) use of peatlands. Approved by resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated December 30, 2015, no. 1111.

2. The scheme of distribution of peatlands in the directions of use for the period up to 2030. Approved by the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated December 30, 2015, no. 1111.