In the heart of Finland, researchers are harnessing the power of satellite imagery to revolutionize the management of boreal drained peatland forests. These forests, which stretch across the northern hemisphere, play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and timber production. Now, a groundbreaking study led by Kaapro Keränen from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) in Helsinki is paving the way for more informed and sustainable forest management practices.
Keränen and his team have successfully mapped five key ecosystem services provided by these forests: bilberry yield, visual amenity, biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, and timber production. By integrating data from Landsat 8–9, Sentinel-2, and PlanetScope satellites, they have created detailed spatial predictions of these services, offering a comprehensive view of the forests’ ecological value.
The study, published in the International Journal of Applied Earth Observations and Geoinformation (International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation), demonstrates the effectiveness of satellite imagery in predicting ecosystem services. “Our findings show that satellite data can be a game-changer in how we manage and conserve these vital ecosystems,” Keränen said. “By understanding the spatial distribution of ecosystem services, we can make more informed decisions that balance conservation and commercial interests.”
The research highlights the varying performance of different satellite sensors. Sentinel-2 emerged as the top performer, with explained variances (R2) ranging from 25% to 75% for single ecosystem services. Landsat and PlanetScope also showed promising results, with R2 values of 22–69% and 13–65%, respectively. The inclusion of auxiliary data from LiDAR further enhanced the models’ accuracy, improving R2 values by up to 24%.
One of the study’s key achievements is its ability to scale ecosystem service predictions across different canopy covers—closed, partial, and open. This scalability is crucial for the energy sector, which relies heavily on timber and biomass from these forests. “By understanding the spatial distribution of ecosystem services, we can optimize forest management practices to maximize timber production while minimizing environmental impact,” Keränen explained.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. For the energy sector, it offers a tool to balance commercial interests with environmental sustainability. For policymakers, it provides a data-driven approach to conservation and management. And for scientists, it opens new avenues for research into the complex interactions within these ecosystems.
As we look to the future, the integration of satellite data and advanced modeling techniques will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping sustainable forest management practices. Keränen’s work is a significant step forward, demonstrating the potential of these technologies to inform decision-making and drive innovation in the field.
For the energy sector, the ability to predict and map ecosystem services could lead to more efficient and sustainable resource management. It could also open up new opportunities for carbon offset projects, as the spatial distribution of carbon storage can be more accurately quantified and monitored.
In an era where sustainability and commercial viability must go hand in hand, Keränen’s research offers a beacon of hope. By leveraging the power of satellite imagery, we can strive towards a future where our forests are managed not just for profit, but for the benefit of the planet and all its inhabitants.
